Observations on a new simplified dye method for assessing amylase activity

A comparative study of serum and organ alpha-amylases of the camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The activity of alpha-amylase of the camel serum was found to be remarkably high (2325 U/l as compared with 77 U/l of bovine serum). The results obtained on chloride activation and substrate affinity studies as well as the DEAE-cellulose absorption properties indicate a substantial similarity between serum and tissue amylase(s) of the camel. On the contrary, a marked difference between the camel and the bovine amylases has been evidenced.

Biochemistry of human alpha amylase isoenzymes

The purpose of this article is to review recent literature on the isoenzymes of alpha amylase. Although some studies are cited from the literature of fields other than clinical biochemistry, the aim is to bring together findings that may be of interest to clinical laboratory physicians and scientists. It is hoped that this will be useful in suggesting further studies of amylase. To this end, the review is more selective than exhaustive. The review will discuss the history and chemistry alpha amylases, the measurement of amylase and amylase isoenzymes, posttranslational modifications of human amylases, and the genetics of human pancreatic and salivary amylases. Finally, we will discuss other tissue sources of amylase with emphasis on "genital" amylases and their relationship to the amylase found in serous ovarian tumors.

Experience with synthetic secretin in the treatment of duodenal ulcer

Hospitalized male patients with endoscopically verified duodenal ulcer were studied to determine the effect of secretin on the clinical course of their disease. Seven patients received synthetic porcine secretin, 333 mug subcutaneously every 4 hr for 10 days, and 6 patients received placebo injections on the same schedule. Repeat endoscopy was performed within 48 hr of completing the 10-day treatment period. The trial was discontinued because of transient, asymptomatic, hyperamylasemia in secretin-treated patients. Although significant gastric alkalinization could be reproducibly demonstrated in secretin-treated patients, secretin was not more effective than placebo in relieving pain or healing duodenal ulcer. However, because the number of patients was small, definitive conclusions regarding efficacy of secretin in ulcer treatment could not be drawn.

External pancreatic secretion after bombesin infusion in man

The effect of bombesin on external pancreatic secretion was studied in seven healthy volunteers and intwo patients with a two-thirds gastrectomy and a pancreatic fistula. After bombesin infusion (15 ng/kg/min), gastrin levels were significantly raised in all volunteers, but remained at basal levels in the gastrectomized patients. Bombesin was effective in stimulating pancreatic secretion in all patients. The volume of secretion increased tow-fold when compared with basal volume. Amylase and trypsin concentrations and outputs in the duodenal juice were greatly agumented (amylase concentration: basal, 70 dye U/ml; post-bombesin, 620 dye U/ml. Amylase output: basal, 1000 dye U/15 min; post-bombesin, 15,800 dye U/15 min). Secretin, when administered in conjunction with bombesin, partially inhibited its secretory effect. Bicarbonate secretion was slightly stimulated by bombesin, but at a very low level. A similar pattern of results was obtained in the two gastrectomized patients. In man, bombesin exerts an effect on pancreatic secretion that mimics the effect of CCK-PZ, thus confirming the results obtained in the experimental animal. Gastrin does not play a fundamental role in this phenomenon.