Which statement about ALT and AST is true?

The statement indicating that ALT is far more specific for liver diseases than AST is true because alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is primarily found in the liver and is considered a more reliable marker for liver damage or disease. In conditions affecting the liver, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, ALT levels tend to rise more significantly compared to aspartate aminotransferase (AST), which is also found in other tissues, including the heart and muscles. This means that while both enzymes can indicate liver issues, ALT is much more specific to liver pathology, making it a crucial enzyme in evaluating liver function and injury.

In contrast, AST elevations can occur in various conditions beyond liver disease, such as muscle injury or myocardial infarction, which dilutes its specificity for diagnosing liver-related conditions. Understanding the specificity of these enzymes helps healthcare providers in diagnosing liver diseases more accurately, leading to appropriate management and treatment.