title: Immunoreactive trypsin, alpha-amylase and lipase in serum--is there an age-dependence?
abstract: A strong age-dependence of IR trypsin was found in 424 healthy controls suggesting the need for age-matched reference values. A possible relation of other exocrine pancreatic enzymes like alpha-amylase and lipase to age was investigated in 185 apparently healthy persons undergoing a preventive health check. Only alpha-amylase showed a weak correlation with age, but not lipase. Both enzymes correlated with IR trypsin. Whilst alpha-amylase and lipase activities were within the normal range, approximately 25% of IR-trypsin concentrations were above age-matched control values. It is suggested that these apparently healthy persons already have disease of the exocrine pancreas, and IR trypsin is a more sensitive diagnostic tool for screening than alpha-amylase or lipase.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012016:Reference Values; D014357:Trypsin / Q000097:blood*; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases; D000516:alpha-Amylases; D014357:Trypsin