Hello,
I am currently working on a project that involves DNA-bearing nanoparticles. Our study is being developed on mice (C57BL/6 strain) and we would like to determine the hability that those nanoparticles posses to damage hepatic tissue. In order to do so, we are going to determine the activity of ALT and AST transaminases on hepatic murine tissues, utilizing Sigma's activity assay kits (https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/sigma/mak055?lang=es®ion=ES).
We have been trying to find the normal levels of AST/ALT activity in hepatic tissue (not seric levels), but we have not been able to find any.
Any clue of what are the normal levels of those transaminases in HEPATIC murine TISSUE?
Thanks,
Juan
Hepatic enzyme testing is done in blood, not hepatic tissue, as a means of measuring hepatic damage by drugs or disease.
Here ate 2 papers in which liver enzymes were measured in mice. This might provide guidance on the normal levels.
Article Significant increases in the levels of liver enzymes in mice...
http://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/evaluation-of-moxifloxacininduced-biochemical-changes-in-mice.html?view=mobile
Adam B Shapiro thanks for your answer,
I’ve been talking to my boss about that fact, but she insisted on doing the assay on tissue. Why do you recommend to use plasma instead of direct hepatic tissue?
Regards
The idea is that damage to the hepatocytes causes them to release enzymes into the blood that are normally not present. Therefore, monitoring the blood for elevated levels of these enzymes is a good way to detect damage to the liver.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/elevated-liver-enzymes/basics/definition/sym-20050830
Hi Juan
ALT and ASP, together with other serum markers and imaging techniques, computed tomography (CT), etc.. are non invasive ways to diagnose liver damage, before going into liver biopsies. This is particularly relevant for humans.
When using animal models I am also used to see ALT and AST levels measured in serum, but you could compare it with tissue levels.
Have a look at this paper, although is specific for ALT, it way help for both transaminases: Article Metabolic Adaptive ALT Isoenzyme Response in Livers of C57/B...
Regarding what are considered normal levels, I would recommend to compare with a control group, not treated with the nanoparticules and kept under the same husbandry conditions.
I hope it helps
Noemi Tejera,
Thanks for your answer. As you said, we are developing the study with a control group (not treated and kept under the same husbandry) and several knockout strains.
We just wanted some bibliography to corroborate our results (hahaha).
Thanks for the article and your help.
No problem Juan.
Some people also choose to use serum for some tests, so you can use the liver for other analysis. Histology is a must, and given the size of the liver, maybe you will find yourself trying to make the best use of the amount of tissue available.
Good luck!
Noemi
You can find biological range of some common hematological and biological markers in Balb/c mice as provided by Charles River laboratories in attached file.
Good luck
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