Which enzyme level is typically higher in acute hepatitis than chronic hepatitis?

In acute hepatitis, there is a significant increase in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) due to the rapid destruction of liver cells. AST is released into the bloodstream when liver cells are damaged, and this elevation is seen more prominently in acute conditions compared to chronic hepatitis, where liver cell damage occurs at a more gradual pace.

In acute hepatitis, the liver inflammation and injury lead to a much higher peak of AST levels, often surpassing the normal range considerably. This is used clinically as a marker for the degree of liver damage and helps in distinguishing acute liver injury from chronic liver disease.

Moreover, while alkaline phosphatase may be elevated in liver conditions, it is not specifically a marker that differentiates acute from chronic hepatitis. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) can be elevated in various conditions, including liver disease, but does not provide the same specificity related to the acute versus chronic distinction. Consequently, the prominence of AST in acute hepatitis supports its identification as the enzyme that typically exhibits higher levels in this acute phase of liver disease.