What is alpha amylase (pancreatic)?

Alpha-amylase is called one of the enzymes of the digestive system synthesized primarily by cells of the pancreas exocrine type and is responsible for the breakdown of complex carbohydrate components of food, starch and glycogen to simple sugars (glucose). This enzyme is produced in small quantities and salivary glands as part of saliva. The minimum amount of alpha-amylase enters the bloodstream, so the pancreas has a very good blood supply. Passing through the kidneys, the enzyme is excreted in the urine.

In this regard, in laboratory diagnosis uses two diagnostic studies of the enzymatic activity of this class of amylase:

1. Alpha-amylase blood;

2. Diastasis of urine (urine amylase).

Rate the content of amylase in the blood

In each laboratory, which conducts blood tests for the level of alpha-amylase, there are certain standards that figure. Therefore, in the blank next to the result indicates the rate of the accounting unit and of reagents used to determine it. The most commonly guided by such regulations:

1. When measuring alpha-amylase activity in McCall/l 16-30;

2. When measuring alpha-amylase activity in U/l – 20-100;

The norm in women

Despite differences in the biochemical processes in male and female organisms, significant differences in amylase activity of blood in a laboratory study is not defined. Therefore, the averaged norms of blood amylase are such a wide range. It is common for persons, both male and female.

Why is amylase elevated in the blood?

The basis of increasing the concentration of alpha-amylase of blood (hyperamylasemia) in most cases are pathological processes in the pancreas and the organ systems around it. The mechanism of occurrence of such pathological States can be attributed to the increased release of amylase from pancreatic cells in the blood system.

This may occur under these circumstances:

1. Excessive secretion of pancreatic juice;

2. The barrier to the full outflow of pancreatic secretions in the excretory ducts into the duodenum;

3. Inflammatory changes of the pancreas or nearby, organs. This raises the gainblood flow that ends with an increased release of enzymes into the blood;

4. Traumatic or necrotic destruction of pancreatic tissue;

Such pathogenic mechanisms are the basis States:

1. Acute pancreatitis;

2. Chronic pancreatitis in the acute stage;

3. Focal pancreatic necrosis (samoupravljanje the pancreas of a local character);

4. Cancer of any part of pancreas in the first place, her head;

5. Cholelithiasis, especially with the presence of stones in the ductal system;

6. Penetrations tumors and stones the major duodenal papilla of the duodenum where the pancreatic duct opens to the outlet;

7. The mumps virus;

It is important to remember! A slight increase in amylase is that her figures for a few units higher than the norm. If the health of the person is not broken, it does not mean pathology. Cheerleaders must exceeding the target standards in 2 and more times. This variant of the results obtained almost always speaks about pathology of the pancreas.

Why amylase is reduced in the blood?

Generally, if the amylase blood tends towards zero is the normal state, which indicates the ability of the pancreas to keep this enzyme under control. But in practice it does not happen. Each person in the study of amylase will be revealed to her a certain amount in the plasma composition. If the resulting figure is much smaller than the lower limit of normal, this suggests that the enzymatic activity of the pancreas is dramatically reduced.

This can be for diseases:

1. Total pancreatonecrosis (full samoupravlenii pancreas);

2. Malignant tumors of the pancreas stage 4, when the normal glandular tissue of the body is replaced by the tumor;

3. Cystic fibrosis – enzyme defect of congenital origin;

Operations on the pancreas, which removed a large part of the body.

Rate the content of amylase in the urine

Amylase, which is determined in the urine, called diastasis. Its activity is several times higher than blood amylase. This can be explained by the fact that in the blood amylase is in a more diluted state. Passing through the kidneys, its concentration in a small volume of urine. Therefore, its definition is used more often. Moreover, for the analysis need only to collect the urine. The only thing to remember is to increase diastase not only in connection with the pathology of the pancreas.

Established laboratory norms diastase such:

1. In U/l to 1000;

2. In McCall/l 28-100.

Why urine amylase increased?

All States, which are accompanied by increased blood amylase, automatically cause the increase in diastase urine.

It can be:

1. Acute and chronic pancreatitis;

2. Pancreatic necrosis;

3. Tumors of the pancreas;

4. Any form of gallstones and hepatitis;

5. Errors in diet and alcohol abuse. The most dangerous combination of these factors;

6. Acute pathology of the internal organs from surgery (appendicitis, destructive cholecystitis, intestinal obstruction, perforated ulcer);

7. Ectopic pregnancy.

It is important to remember! A slight increase in the urine diastase can say anything about small deviations in the pancreas or diseases of the organs located in anatomical proximity to the pancreas. Above normal in two and more times – it is always pancreatic problems.