Abstract
Serum immunoreactive pancreatic lipase (Lip), trypsin(ogen)1(Tg) and chymotrypsinogen (ChTg) concentrations were determined in newborns (NB) and adults (Ad) sera, using specific and sensitive non-competitive enzyme immunoassays. The levels of proteolytic enzymes are either higher (Tg) or similar (Chtg) at birth than in adulthood whereas the levels of lipase are lower. (Mean (ug/l + sd) = Tg NB: 36±15, Tg Ad:21±8;ChTgNB:21±9, ChtTgAd: 25±18; Lip NB : 4 ± 3, LipAd: 12 ± 7). The measurement of the 3 immunoreactive pancreatic enzymes in amniotic fluids (17-18 weeks of pregnancy) confirm the values observed in newborn sera. Tg and ChTg are present but with scattered values (from 5 to 100 ug/l), and lipase is nearly undetectable. The difference observed between proteolytic and lipase serum levels at birth could reflect an adaptative like process, due to the late appearance of enterokinase in the intra-uterine life (from the 26th week of pregnancy). A defect in the full conversion of proteolytic zymogens into active enzymes could lead to an increased synthesis of proteolytic enzymes as observed in adaptative studies when proteases inhibitors are added to the diet.
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Figarella, C., Carrèe, J., Guy, O. et al. NON PARRALEL LEVELS OF SERUM IMMUNOREACTIVE PANCREATIC LIPASE AND PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES AT BIRTH ADAPTATION PROCESS IN NEONATAL LIFE?. Pediatr Res 20, 694 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198607000-00056
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198607000-00056