AST levels are generally increased due to which condition?

AST (aspartate aminotransferase) levels are primarily associated with hepatocellular injury. When there is damage to liver cells, such as in hepatocellular disease, the AST enzyme, which is more concentrated in liver tissue, is released into the bloodstream, leading to increased serum levels. Conditions that typically cause hepatocellular injury include viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, autoimmune hepatitis, and even severe liver diseases like cirrhosis.

Although other listed conditions, such as cholestasis, alcoholic liver disease, and fatty liver disease, can also be associated with increased liver enzymes, AST levels in these contexts may not be as elevated as they are in hepatocellular diseases. For example, alcoholic liver disease can lead to significant elevations in AST, but it is often coupled with elevations in ALT (alanine aminotransferase) as well. In the case of fatty liver disease, while AST can be elevated, it is typically not as dramatically increased compared to true hepatocellular injury.

Therefore, the elevation of AST is most characteristic of hepatocellular disease, which directly impacts liver cell integrity, leading to more pronounced increases in AST levels.