Heparin-induced increase in serum levels of aminotransferases

✍ Scribed by Murat Yurdakök; Cahit Tanyel; Serdar Diker

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 56 KB
• Volume: 22
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0361-8609
• DOI: 10.1002/ajh.2830220416

✦ Synopsis

We have read with interest the paper of Schwartz et al entitled "Complications of Heparin Administration in Normal Individuals" [ 11. They concluded that subjects receiving heparin developed a reversible increase in serum aminotransferases. The same findings have been reported recently [2]. It was suggested that the elevated transaminases originated from the liver. We had an experience concerning the acute hepatotoxic effects of heparin in kittens. Heparin (Liquemine, Roche) was injected intraperitoneally in a single dose of 5,000 IU. One hour later blood samples were obtained and sections of the liver were taken from different lobes randomly. In animals receiving heparin, there was a striking elevation of SGOT and SGPT compared with the controls (SGOT 138 ? 9 U/L and 57 T 6 U/L, p < 0.01; SGPT 42 Z 5 U/L and 17 T U/L, p < 0.01 respectively, n: 10). Light microscopic examination of the liver of kittens receiving heparin showed no pathological sign. The cause(s) of the transiently increased transaminases associated with heparin therapy remains to be clarified. It may be due to subcellular damage in the liver.