Abnormal Serum Transaminase Levels after Parenteral Ampicillin and Carbenicillin Administration

THE measurement of serum transaminase activity has become widely accepted as a reliable indicator of hepatic toxicity. Two factors that contribute to the marked sensitivity of this test are high concentrations of the enzyme in the liver and its relatively easy release after damage. Serum transaminase released after myocardial damage has found wide application in the practice of medicine. Underestimated thus far has been the fact that striated muscle also contains appreciable quantities of enzyme and therefore can contribute appreciably to circulating enzyme activity. In this light, it becomes apparent that irritating, but otherwise nontoxic, drugs, when injected into skeletal . . .