Aspartate Aminotransferase Activity in Dog Heart Lymph after Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Heart lymph aspartate aminotransferase activity (AAT=GOT) was measured before and after myocardial infarctions of different sizes in 7 dogs. In all dogs the AAT activity of heart lymph rose with maximum values around 8 hours after infarction, ranging from 390 to 9700 mU/ml. In blood serum the peak AAT activity appeared about 4 hours later than in lymph, ranging from 21 to 148 mU/ml. A significant amount of the enzyme released from the infarcted myocardial cells was calculated to reach the blood via heart lymph. In 5 control dogs without myocardial infarction, the heart lymph AAT remained unchanged, ranging from 18 to 82 mU/ml during 17 hours of corresponding experimental observation.

Key Words:

• Aspartate aminotransferase
• dogs
• heart lymph
• lymphatic system
• myocardial infarction