Changes in mass and catalytic activity concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase isoenzymes in serum after a myocardial infarction.

We used an RIA and inhibition of enzyme activity to monitor the changes in mass and catalytic concentrations of the aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1;AST) isoenzymes in serum after myocardial infarction. Cytosolic (c-AST) and mitochondrial (m-AST) forms of AST were present in sera from all 38 of our patients. Although the immunological and catalytic concentrations of both isoenzymes correlated well with the size of the infarct, c-AST gave a better measure than did m-AST. About 20% of the total enzyme activity at peak activity was from the mitochondrial isoenzyme. Both isoenzyme activities peak at very nearly the same time, but m-AST has the longer half-life. Immunological evidence of the mitochondrial isoenzyme can be detected in serum for at least eight days after the infarct. The presence of left ventricular failure produces greater serum isoenzyme activities than in those without failure.