LFT in ETOH liver

Q: Deficiency of which vitamin causes the high AST to ALT ratio in alcoholic hepatitis? 

A) Vitamin A
B) Vitamin B-6
C) Vitamin B-12
D) Vitamin C
E) Vitamin D


Answer: B

The synthesis of AST and ALT depends on the availability of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), which is usually depleted in chronic alcoholics. ALT depends far more than AST on pyridoxine for its synthesis, and so usually stays low in these patients.

#hepatology


Reference:

Diehl AM, Potter J, Boitnott J, Van Duyn MA, Herlong HF, Mezey E. Relationship between pyridoxal 5′-phosphate deficiency and aminotransferase levels in alcoholic hepatitis. Gastroenterology. 1984;86:632–6.