title: Serum amylase isozyme changes in chronic pancreatitis and their clinical significance.
abstract: The diagnostic usefulness of serum amylase isozyme measurement was investigated in 17 cases of definite chronic pancreatitis and 13 cases of suspected chronic pancreatitis, a total of 30 cases. Six types of serum isoamylase patterns were distinguished according to the character of the two main amylase activities at the fraction of fast-gamma globulin and pre-gamma globulin. The amylase activity of the fast-gamma fraction rises in acute exacerbation, and falls in cases of chronic calcifying pancreatitis and in cases with a marked decrease in pancreatic exocrine function. Especially, a fall in fast-gamma amylase activity excellently reflects a decrease in pancreatic enzyme production. The measurement of amylase activity at the fast-gamma fraction therefore appears to be a useful method for assessing pancreatic damage. The significance of a frequent rise in pre-gamma amylase activity in chronic pancreatitis remains unknown.
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D000681:Amylases