BACKGROUND Macro-aspartate aminotransferase(AST), a macroenzyme, is a high-molecular mass complex formed by self-polymerization or association with other serum components that are difficult for the kidney to clear, le...BACKGROUND Macro-aspartate aminotransferase(AST), a macroenzyme, is a high-molecular mass complex formed by self-polymerization or association with other serum components that are difficult for the kidney to clear, leading to the isolated elevation of serum AST activity. Cases of macro-AST formation are rare, with only 3 published in the English language literature up to September 2019 in China. In this paper, we present a case in which an asymptomatic woman with persistent isolated elevated AST was confirmed as having macro-AST by the polyethylene glycol precipitation method.CASE SUMMARY A 34-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for elevated AST levels with normal levels of other liver-associated enzymes on November 12, 2018. Her AST level of liver function test had been abnormal for 7 mo before she came to the clinic. The patient was asymptomatic with a normal physical examination. There was no relevant family history and no alcohol consumption or smoking. She had a several-month history of traditional Chinese medical taking and had stopped it 1 year prior. The laboratory tests in our clinic showed only the elevation of AST(89.5 U/L) with no other significant abnormalities. We performed the precipitation technique with polyethylene glycol to confirm the presence of macro-AST. Then for almost a year, her AST level still fluctuated in the abnormal range.CONCLUSION This case highlights that clinical physicians should be familiar with this rare condition of persistent isolated AST elevation due to the presence of macro-AST to avoid unnecessary investigation and patient anxiety.展开更多
Follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), as the main indicator of ovarian function, plays an important role in the clinical activities of gynecologic endocrinology. Although anti-Miillerian hormone and antral follicle count...Follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), as the main indicator of ovarian function, plays an important role in the clinical activities of gynecologic endocrinology. Although anti-Miillerian hormone and antral follicle count are also the indictors evaluating ovarian function, many clinicians are still relentless in their decision to impose the death penalty of ovaries when high FSH levels(especially more than 40 IU/L) are observed.We recently encountered four patients whose FSH levels were inconsistent with actual fertility because all patients had successfully conceived after treatment. In our study, we found the culprit(macro-FSH) of false-positive FSH levels by applying the polyethylene glycol protein precipitation technique. The biological functions of macro-FSH were further evaluated by using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. This study suggests that ovarian reserve function should be comprehensively assessed in clinic, and the causes of serum test indicators inconsistent with clinic should be identified.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Macro-aspartate aminotransferase(AST), a macroenzyme, is a high-molecular mass complex formed by self-polymerization or association with other serum components that are difficult for the kidney to clear, leading to the isolated elevation of serum AST activity. Cases of macro-AST formation are rare, with only 3 published in the English language literature up to September 2019 in China. In this paper, we present a case in which an asymptomatic woman with persistent isolated elevated AST was confirmed as having macro-AST by the polyethylene glycol precipitation method.CASE SUMMARY A 34-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for elevated AST levels with normal levels of other liver-associated enzymes on November 12, 2018. Her AST level of liver function test had been abnormal for 7 mo before she came to the clinic. The patient was asymptomatic with a normal physical examination. There was no relevant family history and no alcohol consumption or smoking. She had a several-month history of traditional Chinese medical taking and had stopped it 1 year prior. The laboratory tests in our clinic showed only the elevation of AST(89.5 U/L) with no other significant abnormalities. We performed the precipitation technique with polyethylene glycol to confirm the presence of macro-AST. Then for almost a year, her AST level still fluctuated in the abnormal range.CONCLUSION This case highlights that clinical physicians should be familiar with this rare condition of persistent isolated AST elevation due to the presence of macro-AST to avoid unnecessary investigation and patient anxiety.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81471438 to Yingli Shi).
文摘Follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), as the main indicator of ovarian function, plays an important role in the clinical activities of gynecologic endocrinology. Although anti-Miillerian hormone and antral follicle count are also the indictors evaluating ovarian function, many clinicians are still relentless in their decision to impose the death penalty of ovaries when high FSH levels(especially more than 40 IU/L) are observed.We recently encountered four patients whose FSH levels were inconsistent with actual fertility because all patients had successfully conceived after treatment. In our study, we found the culprit(macro-FSH) of false-positive FSH levels by applying the polyethylene glycol protein precipitation technique. The biological functions of macro-FSH were further evaluated by using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. This study suggests that ovarian reserve function should be comprehensively assessed in clinic, and the causes of serum test indicators inconsistent with clinic should be identified.
