ALT and hepatitis

A high level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is indicative of a
possible liver problem.  Why is this so?  In biochemistry we were
taught that ALT catalyzes the reaction

        alanine + alpha-ketoglutarate <=> pyruvate + glutamate

Does it have something to do with the fact that the blood-base ALT is
extra-cellular?

                Just curious,
                Ralph (MD 2 B, starting this fall)

        G. Ralph Kuntz, M.S., N2HBN, EMT-A, EIEIO       g…@attunix.att.com

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