The Serum and Liver Amylase and Transaminase Activities in Choline Deficiency Fatty Liver and Cirrhosis

Abstract

Summary Chronic liver injury was produced in rats by feeding a choline deficient diet for 1 year. The pathologic findings in the liver varied in severity from fatty liver to cirrhosis. The serum amylase activity decreased only when cirrhosis was produced and was maintained at normal values in earlier stages. No abnormalities were observed in the histology of the pancreas in any of the diseased animals. Liver amylase activity increased considerably, and this increase was associated with fat accumulation in the liver. In contrast to serum amylase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) activity was increased in the fatty liver stage and returned toward normal with increased severity of the injury. In spite of the elevated serum levels, the liver transaminase did not show a significant decrease in activity. Moreover, absence of a reduced liver transaminase activity was interpreted as evidence against an increased permeability as a sole explanation for the high serum levels unless there is an accompanying increased rate of enzymatic synthesis to replace the released enzyme.