Abstract
IT has been postulated that an amylase inhibitor exists in normal human serum, but not in the serum of patients with acute pancreatitis1. The principal evidence for the presence of this inhibitor was based on observations that the average amylase activity of a group of sera was nearly tripled after subjecting the specimens to filter paper electrophoresis. It was found that when eighteen normal sera having a mean amylase value of 106 Somogyi units were separated electrophoretically, the total amylase recovered by extracting the various protein fractions with saline averaged 311 Somogyi units1. However, a similar electrophoretically-induced enhancement in amylase activity could not be demonstrated in sera from patients with acute pancreatitis. Dreiling et al.2 substantiated these observations and suggested that although increased quantities of pancreatic amylase enter the blood in acute pancreatitis, the circulating level of the amylase inhibitor is decreased in this disorder. These workers further concluded that, in cases of pancreatic cancer, hyperamylasaemia was not accompanied by any diminution in the enzyme inhibitor.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
McGeachin, R. L., and Lewis, J. P., J. Biol. Chem., 234, 795 (1959).
Dreiling, D. A., Janowitz, H. D., and Josephberg, L. J., Ann. Internal Med., 58, 235 (1963).
Wilding, P., Clin. Chim. Acta, 8, 918 (1963).
Reif, A. E., and Nabseth, D. C., Clin. Chem., 8, 113 (1962).
Pimstone, N. R., Clin. Chem., 10, 891 (1964).
Sumner, J. B., J. Biol. Chem., 47, 5 (1921).
Dahlqvist, A., Scand. J. Clin. and Lab. Invest., 14, 145 (1962).
Ujihira, I., Searcy, R. L., Berk, J. E., and Hayashi, S., Clin. Chem., 11, 97 (1965).
Kalckar, H. M., J. Biol. Chem., 167, 461 (1947).
Berk, J. E., Kawaguchi, M., Zeinh, R., Ujihira, I., and Searcy, R., Nature, 200, 572 (1963).
Ujihira, I., Searcy, R. L., and Berk, J. E., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. and Med., 115, 996 (1964).
Berk, J. E., Searcy, R. L., Hayashi, S., and Ujihira, I., J. Amer. Med. Assoc. (in the press).
Searcy, R. L., Ujihira, I., Hayashi, S., and Berk, J. E., Clin. Chim. Acta, 9, 505 (1964).
Searcy, R. L., Hayashi, S., Ujihira, I., and Berk, J. E., 148th Meeting Amer. Chem. Soc. (Abstract), 43C (Chicago 1964).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
HAYASHI, S., SEARCY, R., BERK, J. et al. Search for a Naturally Occurring Amylase Inhibitor in Human Serum. Nature 210, 92–94 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/210092a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/210092a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
