Levels of serum alanine/aspartate aminotransferase and urea in apparently healthy rural community in Ghana. A case study in Subin-Akrofrom and Trede in the Ashanti Region.

Abstract

Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and urea levels were assessed in 27 males (mean age 32.33 yrs) and in 34 females (mean age 27.85yrs) Ghanaian ru- ral dwellers to determine the functional status of their liver (ALT/AST) and kidney (Urea). No significant (P≥0.05) differences were observed between the sexes in all the assessed parameters. Mean values of 28.92 U/L, 31.64 U/L, 9.04 mmol/L for males and 30.09 U/L, 33.92 U/L, 8.72 mmol/L for females were obtained respectively for ALT, AST and Urea. The serum levels of ALT, AST and AST to ALT ratio indicated that both groups had normal functioning liver but the urea levels for both sexes appear to suggest renal impairment. Further investigations are needed to establish the underlying pathology.