title: Proteinases and inhibitors in plasma and peritoneal exudate in acute pancreatitis.
abstract: Examination of the peritoneal exudates of 12 patients with acute pancreatitis revealed high activities of pancreatic lipase and amylase. The immunologic levels of the plasma-derived inhibitors alpha 1-antitrypsin, antithrombin III and alpha 2-macroglobulin in the peritoneal exudates were not markedly different from those of the plasma. However, the inhibitory capacity of alpha 2-macroglobulin, the main inhibitor of human pancreatic trypsin in the exudate, was almost completely depleted when measured by an enzymatic method. Furthermore, spontaneous fibrinolysis occurred in 6 out of 13 exudates applied to plasminogen-free fibrin plates, indicating the presence of free proteinase. This fibrinolytic activity might be inhibited by exogenous alpha 2-macroglobulin or aprotinin (Trasylol, Bayer AG).
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000681:Amylases / Q000032:analysis; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000032:analysis*; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000032:analysis; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010537:Peritoneum; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases; D010450:Endopeptidases