A new certified reference material for aspartate transaminase (AST) supporting the early diagnosis of liver disorders

From routine blood tests to early disease detection, clinical reference materials are essential to timely and accurate diagnoses. The JRC has now developed ERM-AD457k/IFCC, a new certified reference material (CRM) for aspartate transaminase (AST), an enzyme found in the liver, kidneys, muscles, and heart. Elevated levels of AST in blood tests are associated with several liver disorders including hepatitis, fatty liver disease and liver cancer.

Liver disorders are a significant public health concern affecting millions of people worldwide. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are critical for effective treatment and improving patient outcomes. The measurement results for AST levels in blood should therefore be accurate over time and across laboratories to avoid misdiagnosis or delayed treatment.

The new CRM is a lyophilised buffered solution of AST with a certified catalytic activity concentration obtained with the primary reference measurement procedure of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). It is a renewal of a previously developed JRC material that has been internationally distributed and has played a crucial role in the standardisation of AST measurements worldwide.

ERM-AD457k/IFCC will be particularly useful for manufacturers developing AST tests and for clinical laboratories performing AST tests on a regular basis. It will allow them to verify the accuracy of their measurement results and ensure that their tests are compliant with international standards. By providing a CRM for AST, the JRC is helping to improve the accuracy and reliability of liver disease diagnosis, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.

The JRC has decades of experience in producing clinical CRMs for a variety of purposes, from standard blood tests to detecting chronic diseases. This new CRM for AST is another example of the JRC's commitment to improving the accuracy and reliability of clinical measurements, and its dedication to supporting the fight against diseases that affect millions of people worldwide.

The material is available from the JRC's online reference materials catalogue.