The disappearance rate of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase from the circulation and its distribution in the body's fluid compartments and secretions.

Abstract

T HE release of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) from damaged tissues and the significance of serum GOT levels as an index of cell death have been well dOcumentecl.l~ * Little is known of the disappearance rate of GOT from the blood stream or of its distribution in t.he body’s fluid compartments. A knowledge of these parameters is necessary for the understanding of the quantitative and temporal relationship of serum GOT to the extent and activity of tissue necrosis. Following experimental myocardial infarction, the observed increase in serum GOT was far smaller3 than anticipated from the measured loss of GOT from the infarctetl myocardium* and the dilution of this quantity of GOT in the plasma volume. This suggests either a, rapid removal of GOT from the blood stream or a diluting medium considerably grcatcr than the plasma volume. In the present study the disappearance rate of GOT from the blood stream was measured following intravenous injection of the enzyme. The distribution of the enzyme in various body fluids was determined by serial measurements of the (KIT activity in lymph. spinal fluid, bile, and urine. In addition the distribution and excretion of the enzyme were studied following experimental myotordial infarction, carbon tetrachloridc induced hepatocellular necrosis, ant1 in nephrectomized animals.