Amylasea Biochemistry Report

AmylaseAlpha-1-4 Glucan-4-Glucohydrolase

• It is an important enzyme in the physiologic digestion of starch.

• Catalyzes the breakdown of starch and glycogen • Smallest enzyme in size.• Filtered by the renal glomerulus and also appears in the

urine.• It is the earliest pancreatic marker.• Normal serum contains both salivary and pancreatic

AMS.• Normal Amylase Creatinine Ratio: 1%-4%

AmylaseTwo kinds of Amylase (AMS):• Salivary Amylase• Pancreatic Amylase

Isoenzymes:• S-Type (Ptyalin)• P-Type (Amylopsin)

Sources of AmylaseAmylase can be found in the:• Acinar Cells of the pancreas and the salivary gland.• It can also be found on adipose tissue, fallopian tubes,

small intestine and skeletal muscles, albeit few.

Diagnostic Significance:• Increased AMS blood levels are accompanied by

increased urinary excretions. • In renal failure, increased blood levels are accompanied

by decreased urine concentration.• Salivary gland inflammation or Parotitis due to mumps

can also release AMS into the circulation.

Acute Pancreatitis• Acute pancreatitis is sudden swelling and inflammation of

the pancreas.• In it, Amylase levels rise 2-12 hours after onset of attack,

peak at 24 hours, and normalize within 3-5 days.• Amylase in urine remains elevated for up to 7 days.• Amylase-Creatinine Ratio: > 4%, up to 15%

Macroamylasemia• Macroamylasemia is the presence of an abnormal

substance called macroamylase in the blood.

Amylase + Immunoglobulin (too large to be filtered across the glomerulus)

• Because of its size, macroamylase is filtered very slowly from the blood by the kidneys.

Methods of Determination• Samples with high activity of amylase should be diluted

with NaCl to prevent inactivation.• Many endogenous inhibitors of amylase, such as wheat

germ, are present in the serum.

Processes1. Saccharogenic • measures the amount of reducing sugar produced by the

hydrolysis of starch in the usual glucose methods.

2. Amyloclastic• measures amylase activity by following the decreases in

substrate concentration. (degradation of starch)

Processes3. Chromogenic • measures amylase activity by the increase in color

intensity of the soluble dye-substrate solution produced in the reaction.

4. Coupled Enzyme • measures amylase activity by a continuous-monitoring

technique.

AbnormalitiesAbnormalities associated with increased Amylase production:

• Acute Pancreatitis• Ectopic Pregnancy• Peptic Ulcers• Alcoholism• Mumps