Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), also known as serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), catalyzes the reversible transfer of an amino group from aspartate to α-ketoglutarate. The products of this transamination reaction are oxaloacetate and glutamate. AST is found in liver, heart, skeletal muscle, kidneys, brains and red blood cells. Significantly elevated serum AST levels often suggest the existence of medical problems, such as myocardial infarction, acute pancreatitis, acute renal disease, and trauma. This colorimetric assay is based on the oxidization of NADH to NAD in the presence of oxaloacetate and malate dehydrogenase. AST activity is determined by assaying the rate of NADH oxidation, which is proportional to the reduction in absorbance at 340nm over time (ΔOD340nm/min).

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