Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase is an enzyme that is found in the liver, heart, and other organs. Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /sɪrəm ɡljuːtæmɪk ɒksəloʊəsiːtɪk trænzæmɪneɪs/. The first word, serum, is pronounced like "sir-um." Glutamic sounds like "gloo-tam-ic", oxaloacetic is pronounced as "ok-suh-loh-uh-see-tik", and transaminase is pronounced as "tran-zam-uh-neys." Therefore, the entire word is pronounced as "Ser-uhm gloo-tam-ic ok-suh-loh-uh-see-tik tran-zam-uh-neys
Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), also known as Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), is an enzyme predominantly found in various tissues of the body, with the highest concentration present in the liver, heart, skeletal muscles, and kidneys. It plays a crucial role in catalyzing the transfer of an amino group from aspartate to α-ketoglutarate in the transamination process.
SGOT is commonly measured through a blood test to assess liver health and diagnose liver diseases. Elevated levels of SGOT in the bloodstream are indicative of liver damage or injury, as the release of this enzyme into the blood occurs when hepatocytes (liver cells) are damaged or destroyed. Liver conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or alcohol-related liver disease can cause a significant increase in SGOT levels, while mild or transient elevations may occur due to strenuous physical activity or the use of certain medications.
Understanding SGOT levels can aid in evaluating the extent and severity of liver damage, monitoring the progress of treatment, and determining the overall health of the liver. However, elevated SGOT levels alone do not provide a specific diagnosis; further testing and analysis are required to identify the underlying cause.
In conclusion, Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) is an enzyme predominantly found in the liver and other tissues, and is used as an indicator of liver health and to diagnose liver diseases. Measurement of SGOT levels helps healthcare professionals assess the extent of liver damage and monitor treatment progress.