Transaminases are a type of enzyme that catalyze the transfer of amino acids to ketone acids. Commonly found in animal, plant tissues, and microorganisms, with higher levels in animal tissues such as myocardium, brain, liver, kidney, and mung bean sprouts.
1、 The role of transaminase
Transaminase is an essential "catalyst" in the normal operation of the human liver as a "chemical factory", and is a "barometer" of the liver. Liver cells are the main habitat for transaminase. When liver cells undergo inflammation, poisoning, necrosis, etc., it can cause damage to liver cells, and transaminase will be released into the bloodstream, causing an increase in serum transaminase levels.
2、 How to identify whether the elevation of transaminase is hepatitis B
Strictly speaking, the level of "transaminase" can hardly reflect the function of the liver. Transaminase is just a component in liver cells. Comparatively speaking, the content of this component in liver cells is relatively high. Once liver cells are hit and damaged, transaminase is released into the blood. At this time, if there are not many damaged liver cells, the liver can function normally. To maintain the survival or normal life activities of a normal person, only about one-third of the liver needs to "work". Therefore, many liver disease patients are delayed in treatment because the liver is too hardworking.
To have a correct understanding of transaminase. The level of transaminase cannot fully represent the quality of liver function, more precisely, transaminase levels are not parallel to liver function status. There are mainly several situations: 1. Normal transaminase levels and persistent liver damage. Seen in some hepatitis patients, such as chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis B virus indicators have always been positive, but transaminase levels have never increased. Some have already developed fibrosis, and even cirrhosis and liver cancer; Many patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C also have similar situations.
2. The transaminase level is very high, but it is only temporary and will not have a significant impact on liver function. The consequences are not very serious, and it quickly returns to normal after short-term rest and treatment; A similar phenomenon can also occur when drinking a large amount of alcohol at once.
3. Jaundice is very deep, with low or even normal transaminase levels. There are three situations: (1) obstruction of the bile duct, obstruction of bile excretion, and high levels of bilirubin and low or mild elevation of transaminase during liver function tests, which can be seen in patients with bile duct stones, bile ducts, and tumors around the pancreatic head;
(2) It's severe hepatitis. This is a very serious liver disease with a high mortality rate. In the early stages of illness, transaminase levels increase to varying degrees, with bilirubin at a higher level. However, as the condition progresses, bilirubin levels increase while transaminase levels decrease. When the condition returns to normal, it is medically referred to as "bile enzyme separation". This is a sign of severe illness, and drug treatment may be ineffective. It is best to undergo liver transplantation surgery in a timely manner when conditions permit.
(3) It is cholestatic hepatitis. It can be caused by various reasons, mainly damage to intrahepatic small bile ducts, leading to abnormal bile secretion, such as various acute jaundice hepatitis, drug-induced hepatitis, pregnancy, etc.
4. Some patients with cirrhosis and liver cancer, despite having advanced liver disease and poor liver function, have normal transaminase levels. Many people only discover their primary disease after having a large amount of ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, or other abnormalities discovered during physical examination.
5. Long term abnormal transaminase levels, but not high. This is more common in patients with chronic hepatitis, including chronic hepatitis B and C, autoimmune hepatitis, and alcoholic hepatitis caused by long-term heavy alcohol consumption. Chronic hepatitis patients with transaminase levels that are not very high, mostly between 100-200 units, or less than 100 units, need to be taken seriously because the condition continues to develop and if prevention is not effective, it will eventually develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer. Appropriate treatment should be taken early.
6. Finally, there is another type of modern civilization disease, namely fatty liver, which is characterized by mild elevation of transaminase levels, generally not exceeding 100 units. People with this condition are generally overweight or severely overweight. This is related to improper dietary structure, overeating, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, etc. It is a typical "disease of wealth and prosperity" that should be alerted!
It is believed that through the above introduction, we have known that the elevation of transaminase is not necessarily hepatitis B, but if there is an elevation of transaminase, we still need to go to the hospital for inspection to prevent the disease.