≡Clinical Biochemistry
Enzymes play a crucial role in clinical biochemical diagnosis, serving as important markers of disease
These biomarkers are biological substances whose measurement in blood or other body fluids can help identify pathological conditions. Commonly used enzymes include ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and creatine kinase (CK), which provide valuable insights into the patient's health status.
ALT and AST are enzymes primarily present in the liver and heart. Elevated levels of these in the blood usually indicate liver or muscle damage. ALT is particularly sensitive to liver disorders such as viral hepatitis and cirrhosis, while AST can also be elevated in heart disease such as myocardial infarction.
Creatine kinase is an enzyme associated with muscle tissue, with different isoforms, including CK-MB, which is particularly useful in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. Elevation of this enzyme may indicate muscle damage, whether due to trauma, intense exercise or pathological conditions such as rhabdomyolysis.
These enzymes are fundamental tools in clinical biochemistry, allowing doctors to diagnose, monitor and assess the severity of various diseases, helping in the treatment and monitoring of patients.
