Increase In Amylase Levels Research Articles

Estimation of salivary amylase and total proteins in leukemia patients and its correlation with clinical feature and radiographic finding

Leukemia is a fatal disease. The oral manifestations of the leukemias occur early in the course of the disease and these oral features can at times act as a diagnostic indicator. Saliva has been used as a diagnostic aid in a number of systemic diseases. In our study, samples of unstimulated saliva of 30 leukemia patients who were not on chemotherapy were collected and analyzed for salivary amylase and total protein. The oral manifestations and radiographic changes (OPG) were recorded. The correlation between the oral manifestations and the salivary components (salivary amylase and total protein) was assessed for prognostic significance. In the present study when the mean values of salivary amylase (1280±754 U/ml) and total protein (647.2±320.7 mg%) were compared with that in control subjects. There was a statistically significant difference for amylase levels (P<.05). On intraoral examination the study subjects showed pallor, gingivitis, gingival enlargement, petechiae, and ecchymosis. On the OPG, the radiographic features included generalized rarefaction of bone (20%), thinning of lamina dura (3.4%), generalized alveolar crest bone resorption (30%), thinning of walls of alveolar crypts (6.7%), besides others, e.g., periapical abscess (10%). The saliva of leukemic patients demonstrated obvious changes in composition. A rise in salivary amylase and total protein levels was evident, with the increase in amylase levels being statistically significant.

Prophylaxis of Post–Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis by an Endoscopic Pancreatic Spontaneous Dislodgement Stent

Pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the most common and potentially serious complication of ERCP. The frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis generally is reported to be between 1% and 9%. One cause of pancreatitis is retention of pancreatic juice resulting from papilledema after the procedure. We conducted a randomized controlled multicenter study to evaluate whether placement of a temporary pancreatic stent designed for spontaneous dislodgement prevents post-ERCP pancreatitis. The subjects were 201 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP. The patients were randomized into the stent placement group (S group = 98) or the nonstent placement group (nS group = 103). The stent used was 5F in diameter, 3 cm in length, straight, and unflanged inside. Stents were placed successfully in 96% of the S group, and spontaneous stent dislodgment was recognized in 95.7% of those. The mean duration to dislodgment was 2 days, and there were no severe complications. The overall frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis was 8.5%. The frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis in the S and nS groups was 3.2% and 13.6%, respectively, showing a significantly lower frequency in the S group (P = .019). The mean increase in amylase level in the pancreatitis patients was significantly higher in the nS group (P = .014). The randomized controlled multicenter trial showed that placement of a pancreatic spontaneous dislodgment stent significantly reduces post-ERCP pancreatitis.

The psychosocial stress‐induced increase in salivary alpha‐amylase is independent of saliva flow rate

The stress response of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) has been suggested as an index for sympathetic nervous system activation. However, concurrent inhibition of the parasympathetic nervous system is discussed as a confounder due to suppression of saliva flow rate. Here we set out to test the influence of stress-induced changes in flow rate on sAA secretion. Twenty-six subjects underwent the Trier Social Stress Test and a control condition. Saliva was sampled by passive drooling or salivettes. Saliva flow rate, sAA levels and output, salivary cortisol, and heart rate variability were measured. Flow rate increased only when sampled by passive drooling. Stress-induced increases in amylase levels were correlated with increases of amylase output but not with flow rate. Results indicate that flow rate is not a confounder of stress-induced sAA activation and suggest that valid measurements of sAA can be obtained by salivettes without the need for assessment of flow rate.

EUS-guided ethanol injection of normal porcine pancreas: a pilot study

Ethanol injection is a potential means of EUS-guided pancreatic tissue ablation. The effects of injected ethanol on normal pancreas are unknown. Transgastric ethanol injection of the body and the tail of normal porcine pancreas was performed under EUS guidance in 8 anesthetized Yorkshire pigs: 98% ethanol was injected in 4 animals, and 50% ethanol was injected in 4 animals. Serum amylase levels were monitored, and EUS was repeated on day 7. Gross and histologic examination of the pancreas was performed on day 7. All 8 animals tolerated ethanol injection without signs of distress. An increase in amylase levels was seen in all animals. Focal areas, 2 to 6 mm, of inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis were observed after 50% ethanol injection. Larger (8-30 mm) areas of inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis were seen after 98% ethanol injection, as well as one fluid collection and one colonic stricture. Injection of 50% ethanol into normal porcine pancreas results in focal inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis at the injection site. Ethanol injection (98%) produces larger areas of inflammation, fibrosis, and necrosis, with local complications of pancreatitis.

HYPERAMYLASEMIA AFTER CARDIAC SURGERY IS NOT RELATED TO THE USE OF CARDIOPULMONARY BYPASS

Background: Although hyperamylasemia has been reported in a large proportion of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), its clinical significance as well as the pathogenic mechanism remain poorly understood. Apart from pancreatic cellular injury, impaired renal function or hypercalcemia after CPB was also proposed to play a possible role in the etiology of postoperative hyperamylasemia. The study was designed to investigate whether avoidance of CPB would limit amylase elevation. Methods: Serum levels of amylase and lipase were measured before operation, 24 and 48 hours after surgery in 58 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with or without the use of CPB over a 10-month period. The choice of procedure was based mainly on the native coronary anatomy and left ventricular function. Postoperative complications as well as the plasma levels of creatinine and calcium were also carefully monitored. Results: Three surgical approaches were used for CABG: CPB (conventional on-pump through median sternotomy, n = 32), OPCAB (off-pump through median sternotomy, n = 14), and MIDCAB (off-pump through left minithoracotomy, n = 12). There was no hospital mortality. No patient had postoperative abdominal complications. Transient hyperamylasemia occurred in 14 patients, 7 in the CPB group (22%), 5 in the OPCAB group (36%), and 2 in the MIDCAB group (17%). The increase in amylase levels was similar among groups. However, no lipase elevation was detected in any patient. There was no clear correlation between hyperamylasemia and an increased creatinine level. Perioperative plasma calcium levels were normal in patients who had hyperamylasemia. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in the incidence of hyperamylasemia among patients undergoing myocardial revascularization with or without the use of CPB and irrespective of mode of surgical access. Hence, CPB is not the major factor responsible for hyperamylasemia, as previously believed.

Rat serum induces a differentiated phenotype in a rat parotid acinar cell line.

To establish a continuous cell line, freshly prepared rat parotid acinar cells were stably transfected with a plasmid vector containing the SV40 large T antigen. The acinar origin of these cells was confirmed by Western blotting, enzyme analysis, and morphological analysis. Transformed cells grown in 10% rat serum showed a modest reduction in cell number after 7 days and a concentration- and time-dependent increase in amylase levels approximately 16 times greater than those observed in fetal bovine serum-treated cells. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that cells grown in rat serum harbored protein-filled secretory granules localized adjacent to the endoplasmic reticulum, and punctate amylase-specific immunofluorescence distributed throughout the cytoplasm was consistent with the presence of amylase in secretory organelles. Clonal cells express tissue-specific proline-rich proteins and the four protein kinase C isozymes present in primary culture. Carbachol and isoproterenol stimulated [3H]protein secretion and isoproterenol enhanced amylase secretion from cells grown in rat serum. Moreover, norepinephrine, carbachol, and substance P produced a time- and concentration-dependent rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+. This continuous cell line of parotid acinar cells, which after treatment with rat serum retains the basic structural and functional properties of primary culture cells, will be utilized as a model system for studying long-term biological processes that regulate parotid cell function.

Exocrine hyperstimulation but not pancreatic duct obstruction increases the susceptibility to alcohol-related pancreatic injury.

To evaluate the factors thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis associated with alcohol. The mechanism of alcohol-induced pancreatitis is believed to involve synergistic effects of various pathogenetic factors. The present study was designed to evaluate the possible contribution of pancreatic duct obstruction, physiologic exocrine stimulation, or secretory hyperstimulation to alcohol-induced pancreatic injury. Wistar rats were allocated randomly to a control group (group 1), or to a group with pancreatic duct obstruction (group 2), physiologic exocrine stimulation (group 3), ductal obstruction and exocrine stimulation (group 4), or exocrine hyperstimulation with the cholecystokinin analogue cerulein (group 5). Three hours after this pretreatment, animals in each experimental group were randomly divided into two subgroups for intragastric administration of either water (groups 1A through 5A) or beer (groups 1B through 5B). Test solutions were instilled over 9 hours (total amount of alcohol administered, 4.8 g/kg). Twenty-four hours after beginning the test infusion, animals were killed for histologic evaluation of pancreatic edema and determination of an acinar cell necrosis score. Serum amylase levels were determined at 3, 9, and 24 hours. No increase in amylase levels or significant morphologic changes were found in control animals (group 1A) or in animals subjected to physiologic exocrine stimulation (group 2A). Pancreatic duct obstruction, with or without physiologic exocrine hyperstimulation (groups 3A and 4A), and exocrine hyperstimulation (group 5A) induced pancreatitis of similar severity with minor acinar cell damage. Alcohol superimposed on exocrine hyperstimulation (group 5B) increased acinar cell injury (group 5A, 0.4 +/- 0.1 points vs 5B, 1.0 +/- 0.2 points; P < .05) and serum amylase levels at 24 hours (group 5a, 41 +/- 6 U/L vs group 5B, 72 +/- 11 U/L; P < .05), whereas no differences between subgroups A and B (water vs beer) were found in groups 1 through 4. Our findings suggest that the pathogenesis of acute alcoholic pancreatitis may require a state of exocrine hyperstimulation, perhaps via cholecystokinin, but do not support a role for constriction or obstruction of Oddi's sphincter.

Plasma amylase levels as a marker of disease severity in an isogenic murine model of paracoccidioidomycosis

Survival patterns after peritoneal infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis vary according to the mouse strain and to the virulence of the fungal isolate. It has previously been observed that a significant increase in plasma amylase levels occurs only when susceptible mice (B10.A) were infected with a virulent isolate (Pb18). In order to verify if increased amylase levels correlate with susceptibility to P. brasiliensis infection, 12 mouse strains with different susceptibility patterns to this fungus were investigated after infection with Pb18. When compared with their respective controls, C57BI/6, B10D2/oSn, B10D2/nSn, C3H/HeJ, B10.A and BALB/c mice showed a conspicuous amylase increase and AKR, (NZB x NZW)F1, CBA/J, (A/Sn x B10.A)F1, A/Sn and DBA/2 absence of alteration. The influence of the infecting fungal isolate on this enzymatic parameter was investigated using B10.A mice and fungal isolates with diverse degrees of virulence. When compared with their non-infected controls, mice infected with Pb45 or Pb47 showed a very high amylase increase, with Pb44 or Pb18 a high one and with Pb50 or Pb265 a discrete increase. On the whole, there is an inverse correlation between survival times after infection and the increase in amylase levels. Thus, measurement of plasma amylase is a satisfactory parameter to evaluate the severity of paracoccidioidomycosis in mice.

Fatty acid and enzymatic compositional changes in the pancreas of rats fed dietary n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids

The influence of n-3 and n-6 PUFA on the fatty acid composition and the enzyme content of zymogen granules of the normal exocrine pancreas was tested on rats. The animals were fed on different diets comprising 5% fish oil (FO), safflower oil (SFO), and evening primrose oil (EPO) used singly or in combination as dietary fats. The results were compared with those from animals fed 5% hydrogenated beef tallow (HBT). The fatty acid composition and digestive enzyme content were analyzed after a 6-wk feeding period. Differences in the pancreatic fatty acid profiles were related to the fatty acid composition of the ingested fats. Equivalent levels of n-3 fatty acids and 20:3n-6 were obtained with either EPO or FO fed singly or in combination. Similar results were observed with SFO/FO. Higher C20:3n-6/C20:4n-6 ratios were obtained with the oil mixtures. An increase in amylase levels, but a decrease in serine protease (Band 21 kdalton) levels, was associated with EPO. An elevation in procarboxypeptidase levels paralleled an increase in 18:0 levels, whereas the proportion of lipase (Band 49 kdalton) varied inversely with the proportion of C20:3n-6. The SFO/FO mixture elevated the proportions of protease II and proelastase. These results suggest that specific fatty acids influence the proportion of specific digestive enzymes in the zymogen granules.

The effect of heat on the intestinal and pancreatic levels of amylase and maltase of laying hens and broilers

1. 1. The effects of exposing laying hens and broilers daily to intermittent periods of 4 hr heating at 42°C on the intestinal and pancreatic levels of amylase and maltase were investigated. 2. 2. The initial exposure to heat, characterized by heat stress, brought about a significant increase in the duodenum and jejunum parts of the tetra breed hen and only in the duodenum of broilers. The levels of amylase in the distal parts of the intestine of both breeds sharply decreased. 3. 3. The increase in amylase levels in the proximal parts of the intestine under the conditions of initial heating vanished after 3 days of heating: its levels continued to fall in the distal parts. 4. 4. In heat acclimatized laying hens the levels of amylase were lower than those of the control hens both in the intestine and pancreas. 5. 5. The pancreatic level of amylase was reversely related to the levels in the intestine. It is assumed that the intestinal level of amylase is regulated by the pancreas. 6. 6. These findings indicate that the pancreas plays an important role during the adaptation of chickens to heat, through the regulation of intestinal level of amylase. 7. 7. The response in maltase level to heat stress and heat acclimatization was insignificant.

Experimental acute pancreatitis: action of atropine and beta-haloethylamine furoate on muscarine-induced exocrine pancreatic secretion.

Intraarterially administered muscarine induced predictable and reproducible experimental acute pancreatitis with a simultaneous increase in amylase levels in blood. Muscarine also caused a transient rise followed by a lowering of blood glucose levels. The stimulated amylase secretion was dose-response related. The guinea pigs survived 2--2 1/2 h after muscarine administration. Atropine (3 and 5 mg/kg), an antimuscarinic agent, injected intraperitoneally 2 h prior to muscarine administration, (a) inhibited muscarine-induced amylase secretion, and (b) marginally increased the survival time of guinea pigs, but could not sustain the animals for further experimentation. The high death rate of experimental animals prevented the use of this method as a model for investigation of experimental acute pancreatitis.

Premature increases in amylase of postnatal rat parotid with chronic isoproterenol.

SummaryChronic administration of large doses of isoproterenol during postnatal development caused an increase in amy-lase levels of parotid gland of the immature rat. The magnitude of the increase and the cellular basis for amylase changes depended on the postnatal period during which isoproterenol was given. If given during a pre-weanling period (9-17 days of age), total amylase as well as gland and cell size and total RNA were twice the levels of control litter-mates; the amount of amylase per unit of cytoplasm or per microgram of RNA was unchanged from levels of controls but the amount per microgram of DNA was nearly three times that of controls. If given during a postweanling period (23-31 days of age), the increase in total amylase corresponded to the increase in total DNA (about 50% increase in each when compared with controls), but the amount per unit of DNA was unchanged from controls, and the amount per milligram tissue wet weight or microgram of RNA was in fact only one-third the control levels....

α Amylase Content in Cervical Mucus of Females Receiving Sequential, Nonsequential, or No Contraceptive Therapy

The concentration of the enzyme alpha amylase was determined in the cervical mucus of females receiving sequential nonsequential or no contraceptive therapy. 307 samples of cervical mucus were obtained from the 3 groups of women. 1 group did not receive steroids. The second group received Ovulen from Day 5 through Day 25 of each menstrual cycle. The third group was treated with sequential therapy (C-Quens)8 consisting of 80 mcg mestranol per day from Day 5 through 19 of a given cycle and 80 mcg mestranol combined with 2 mg chlormadinone administered daily from Day 20 through 24 of that cycle. The samples were collected frozen thawed and homogenized in a .5% sodium chloride solution. Amylase was determined by observing the time required to hydrolyze the starch in a standard starch solution. A significant difference was observed between treatment (p-bc .001) and between periods within a treatment (p-bc .01). In the untreated group greatest amylase values occurred during the progestational portion of the cycle. The combined therapy levels were higher than sequential levels and were similar throughout the cycle. While amylase content of cervical mucus with sequential therapy was at a constant level during the estrogen phase administration of a progestagen resulted in a significant increase in amylase levels. In about 15% of the cases the amylase content was so reduced that no reaction was obtained within 30 minutes. There was no correlation between this reduced activity day of cycle treatment pH or amount of mucus with respect to different drugs. The amylase values of vaginal fluid obtained from the posteior part of the vagina were similar to those from the ectocervix. There were no differences in pH values among the 3 groups investigated. It was concluded that while the study data did not provide alpha amylase with a specific function in the reproductive process they did demonstrate that the enzyme is present in high concentration and is sensitive to the steroid hormone acombinations used in contraceptive therapy.

EFFECT OF GONADAL HORMONES ON SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND AMYLASE ACTIVITY IN MALE AND FEMALE C57BL-6J-6J MICE.

Submandibular gland amylase activity in C57BL/6J mice of both sexes was determined in intact controls, in gonadectomized animals, and in gonadectomized animals following the administration of testosterone propionate or estradiol benzoate. Amylase activity was 3 times higher in the glands of intact males than in those of intact females. Castration caused a reduction in the amylase activity in the glands of males to less than £ the control value, but not to the low level found in females. Activity in the glands of ovariectomized females remained unchanged. The administration of testosterone propionate to gonadectomized males and females raised the activity to the same value in both sexes, a level higher than that observed in intact males. The administration of estradiol benzoate to castrated males raised amylase activity to a value significantly higher than in ovariectomized females receiving the same treatment. An increase in amylase activity does not appear to be dependent upon an increase in submandibular gland weight. These results are discussed in the light of observations reported by previous investigators. (Endocrinology 76: 776, 1965) /CONSIDERABLE interest in the horv>< monal control of submandibular gland activity in mice and other rodents has been shown since Lacassagne (1) demonstrated a sexual dimorphism of this gland in 1940. Raynaud and Rebeyrotte (2, 3) have reported that the amylase activity is higher in the saliva of male mice than in the saliva of female mice and that castration of males lowers amylase activity to female levels. In contrast, Junqueira et al. (4) were unable to detect a difference in amylase activity in extracts of salivary glands from mice of either sex. In an abstract of a paper presented before the American Society of Zoologists in 1957, Harvey (5) reported that following castration there is a reduction in amylase activity in extracts of glands from males, but not in those from glands of ovariectomized Received August 17,1964. This study was supported in part by USPHS Research Grant A-4357 from the National Institutes of Health, by USPHS Research Grant CA-00362-15 from the National Cancer Institute, and by Institutional Grant 83701G from the American Cancer Society. females. She reported further that the administration of either testosterone or estradiol following gonadectomy stimulated an increase in amylase levels in the glands of both sexes. Comparable levels for intact animals of both sexes were not given; nor were any quantitative data presented. Unfortunately, Dr. Harvey died before she was able to prepare a comprehensive account of her work. In the present study, data were obtained from the analysis of submandibular gland homogenates which demonstrate unequivocally that amylase activity in C57BL/6J mice is higher in the glands of males than in those of females, and that testosterone propionate stimulates an increase in activity in the glands of gonadectomized mice of both sexes. In addition, submandibular gland amylase activities found following the administration of graded doses of estradiol benzoate to gonadectomized male and female mice are presented. Materials and Methods One hundred and ten adult C57BL/6J mice, 54 males and 57 females, were used. Eight mice of each sex were reserved as normal, intact con-