title: A rapid and simple assay to determine if macroamylase is the cause of hyperamylasemia.
abstract: Macromolecules are known to precipitate selectively in concentrated solutions of polyethylene glycol. This report describes the use of polyethylene glycol 6000 to distinguish macroamylase from normal-sized serum amylase. Preliminary studies indicated that a PEG concentration of 12% and a 10-min incubation at 37 degrees C separated normal serum amylase from macroamylase. Using these conditions, study of 18 macroamylase-containing sera showed precipitation of at least 73% of the amylase activity. In contrast, in 46 normal sera and 16 hyperamylasemic (but not macroamylasemic) sera, less than 52% of the amylase activity was precipitated by polyethylene glycol. This test provides a rapid, simple, and accurate means of determining if macroamylasemia is the cause of hyperamylasemia.
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000681:Amylases; C001663:macroamylase