How does hemolysis affect AST and ALT levels?

Hemolysis is a process where red blood cells break down, and this can significantly influence the levels of certain enzymes in the blood, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

In the case of AST and ALT, hemolysis typically results in increased levels of AST more than ALT. This is primarily because AST is present in higher concentrations in red blood cells compared to ALT. When hemolysis occurs, the release of AST from the ruptured erythrocytes contributes to a higher serum level of AST. Conversely, while ALT may also increase due to hemolysis, its increase is generally less pronounced than that of AST.

Thus, option C accurately reflects the comparative increase in AST levels due to hemolysis, underscoring the differential release of these enzymes following cellular damage. This understanding is critical in clinical practice to properly interpret liver function tests and to account for potential hemolysis when assessing liver enzyme levels.