What is the common effect of hemolysis on AST and ALT assays?

Hemolysis is a condition where red blood cells rupture, releasing their contents into the surrounding plasma. This process significantly affects various laboratory assays, including those measuring liver enzymes like aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

Both AST and ALT can be released from damaged red blood cells into the serum during hemolysis. Since these enzymes are largely present in the liver but are also found in higher concentrations in erythrocytes, hemolysis can lead to an increase in the measured levels of these enzymes. This rise in enzyme levels can falsely suggest liver damage or other pathological conditions when interpreting laboratory results.

Therefore, the common effect of hemolysis on AST and ALT assays is an increase in enzyme levels, which can complicate accurate diagnosis and monitoring of liver function or damage.