Final answer:
Aspartate Transaminase would be documented as AST. AST, or Serum Glutamyl Oxaloacetate Transaminase, is not specific to the liver, as it's also found in other tissues. It's different from ALT, which is Alanine Transaminase or Serum Glutamyl Pyruvate Transaminase.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aspartate Transaminase would be documented as AST, not ALT. AST is also known as Serum Glutamyl Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), and it has a normal range of 5-20 IU/litre in the body. Alanine Transaminase (ALT), on the other hand, is also referred to as Serum Glutamyl Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT) with a typical range of 5-15 IU/litre. It's important to note that AST is not exclusive to the liver and can also be found in red cells, cardiac and skeletal muscles.
When the liver is damaged or not functioning properly, such as during hepatitis, levels of ALT, AST, and other liver enzymes can be elevated, as observed in blood testing for liver function. These elevated enzymes may be part of a complete metabolic panel (CMP) suggesting liver issues.