Alpha-amylase | Laboratory research

Amylase Is a hydrolytic enzyme that breaks down starch and glycogen into maltose. Amylase is produced mainly in the salivary glands and pancreas, then passes into the oral cavity or duodenal lumen and participates in the digestion of carbohydrates. In blood serum, pancreatic and salivary amylase isoenzymes are isolated from each other. Significantly low amylase activity is also present in organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, small and large intestines, and liver, although serum detects only pancreatic (40%) and salivary (60%) amylase.

Amylase levels can be increased in a number of diseases that have a clinical picture similar to acute pancreatitis (acute appendicitis, peritonitis, perforated gastric ulcer, intestinal obstruction, cholecystitis, mesenteric vascular thrombosis, periocytosis, fecal incontinence).

The increase in amylase activity is in most cases reactive. In acute pancreatitis, blood and urine amylase activity increases 10-30 times 4-6 hours after the onset of the disease, reaches a maximum after 12-24 hours and rapidly decreases and returns to normal on days 2-6. Increased serum amylase levels are not associated with the severity of pancreatitis.

Amylase can form large complexes with immunoglobulins and other plasma proteins (macroamylase), so it cannot pass into the renal glomeruli. At the same time, when the amylase content in the serum increases, its normal activity is observed in the urine.

Amylase activity in pancreatic cancer increases slightly or remains at normal levels, so the test is not very informative for diagnosing pancreatic cancer.

When should we test for amylase?

• Diseases of the pancreas;
• Diseases of the salivary glands (mumps);
• Cystic fibrosis;
• Acute abdominal syndrome.

With the following symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting;
• Severe pain in the upper abdomen;
• Abdominal pain that radiates to the spine;
• Abdominal pain that intensifies after eating;
• Pain when touching the abdomen;
• Loss of appetite;
• weight loss;
• Greasy, foul-smelling stools;
• Fever;
• Increased pulse.

How to prepare for the test?

No special preparation is required for the test.

The test should be performed on an empty stomach.

Research material

Venous blood

Possible interpretation of the results

Alpha-amylase concentration increases:

• Diseases of the pancreas: pancreatitis (acute, chronic, reactive), cystic formations, blockage of the pancreatic duct (tumor, stones, adhesions);
• Macroamylaseemia;
• Parotitis;
• Acute peritonitis;
• Diabetes mellitus (ketoacidosis);
• Biliary tract diseases (cholelithiasis, cholecystitis);
• Renal failure;
• Traumatic injuries of the abdomen;
• Termination of ectopic pregnancy;
• Damage to the skull;
• Some tumors of the ovaries and lungs;
• Alcohol intake;
• Pregnancy.

Alpha-amylase concentration decreases:

• Pancreatic insufficiency, pancreatectomy, pancreatic necrosis;
• Severe cystic fibrosis;
• Acute and chronic hepatitis;
• Thyrotoxicosis;
• Myocardial infarction;
• Toxicity during pregnancy;
• Early childhood (in children under 1 year of age);
• Conditions associated with high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Resources

https://spravochnik.synevo.ua/ru/klinicheskaia-himia/alpha-amylase.html

https://www.synevo.bg/amilaza/