Which test levels typically increase during acute hepatitis?

The elevation of AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels is a hallmark finding in acute hepatitis. During this condition, liver cells become damaged due to inflammation or viral infection, leading to the release of these enzymes into the bloodstream. AST and ALT are both enzymes that are predominantly found in liver tissue, and their elevated levels indicate hepatocellular injury.

In acute hepatitis, the increase in ALT is particularly significant because it is more liver-specific than AST. However, both enzymes will typically rise, reflecting the extent of liver damage. The magnitude of their elevation can help clinicians assess the severity of the liver injury and monitor the progression of the disease.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent typical changes seen in acute hepatitis. For instance, increased serum bilirubin may occur as a result of liver dysfunction, but it is not as direct an indicator of hepatocellular injury as AST and ALT levels. Alkaline phosphatase levels may remain normal or increase in cholestatic liver disease but would not typically decrease in acute hepatitis. Lastly, GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) levels may also become elevated rather than decreased in the setting of liver damage. Therefore, the