Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST/SGOT)

What is an Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) test? Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme. Enzymes are various types of proteins that enable most bodily processes. AST appears mostly in the liver, but it is found in numerous tissues in the body. When cells are damaged, AST can be released into the bloodstream. For this reason, abnormal values of AST in a blood sample can be an indication of an underlying problem. AST is also called serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT).