A liver-specific enzyme that becomes elevated when liver cells are damaged, making it the most sensitive marker for liver injury. Also known as ALT or SGPT.
Named for alanine, an amino acid, and its function as an aminotransferase. Originally called SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) when first identified in liver research during the 1950s.
ALT is more liver-specific than AST because it's mainly found in liver cells, making it like a liver-specific alarm bell! When liver cells are damaged, ALT leaks out in proportion to the injury - it's so sensitive it can detect liver damage before patients have any symptoms.
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