Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Transaminase nomenclature
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Transaminase nomenclature: The names and abbreviations applied to the transaminases are quite confusing since (just as a starter) a transaminase is an aminotransferase, SGOT is known alternatively as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and SGPT also goes as alanine aminotransferase (ALT). In clinical conversation among doctors, these enzymes are usually just referred to as "the transaminases" (or "the transaminase"). And they go by their abbreviations: "SGOT" and "SGPT."