title: Value of pancreatic-type isoamylase assay as an index of pancreatic insufficiency.
abstract: The study here reported was undertaken to assess the value of assay of the specific isoamylase form arising from the pancreas (P-type) as an index of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Measurements were made of serum total amylase activity, serum P-type isoamylase activity, and the amount of P-type isoamylase relative to creatinine (Upam/Ucr) in the urine in a series of patients with clinically suspected chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic insufficiency as determined from the pancreatic secretory response to secretin stimulation. Abnormally low values for P-type isoamylase in the serum and urine of these patients were infrequent. Conversely, values within the normal ranges for serum P-type isoamylase and Upam/Ucr were common. It is concluded that while subnormal values for P-type isoamylase in the serum and urine may be viewed as supportive evidence for pancreatic insufficiency, failure to find such values does not exclude this condition.
mesh_terms: D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007517:Isoamylase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D003404:Creatinine; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D007517:Isoamylase