Amylase - what is it and what function does it perform in the body? This term refers to a whole group of enzymes, which are combined under the general name - "amylase". In total, there are three varieties of this substance: alpha, beta and gamma. For the human body, alpha-amylase is of particular importance. We’ll talk about her now.
Where is synthesized?
Amylase - what is it? The name of this enzyme comes from the Greek word "amylon", which is translated into Russian as "starch". In the human body, amylase is found in a number of tissues and organs. It is an enzyme (hydrolase) that breaks down complex carbohydrates. The concentration of this enzyme is quite high in the pancreas. It is synthesized by the acinous cells of this organ and secreted through the pancreatic ducts into the digestive tract, more precisely into the duodenum 12. In addition to the pancreas, the salivary glands are also able to synthesize amylase. The enzyme contained in saliva initiates the hydrolysis of starch while food is still in the oral cavity. Thus, the digestion process begins as soon as food enters the mouth.
Amylase Level: Analysis
Amylase - what is it? How to determine its level in the human body? The fact is that the pancreas, where this enzyme is produced, is very well supplied with blood. Normally, part of the enzyme (its minimum amount) enters the bloodstream. Further, this hydrolase, passing through the kidneys, is excreted together with urine.
Blood alpha amylase - what is it? We will talk about this in more detail below.
When is the analysis scheduled?
A blood test helps to assess the condition of the body. Amylase - what is it, with what diseases does it increase in the blood? The level of alpha-amylase in blood plasma can increase several times with the following pathologies:
- Acute or chronic pancreatitis during an exacerbation.
- Focal pancreatic necrosis.
- Oncology of the pancreas.
- Gallstone disease (in the presence of separate calculi in the ductal system).
- Acute appendicitis.
- Renal failure.
- Gastric bleeding.
- Intestinal obstruction.
- Alcoholism and alcohol intoxication.
- AIDS.
- Viral hepatitis.
- Mumps.
- Sarcoidosis
- Typhoid fever.
- Injuries to the abdominal cavity (upper section).
The level of alpha-amylase is reduced or not determined at all in cases of total pancreatic necrosis, with oncology of this organ of the 4th stage, because gland tissue is replaced by tumor, as well as cystic fibrosis (congenital pathology). With surgical interventions, when a significant part of the gland is removed, the amylase level can also be sharply reduced.
Under what conditions does blood amylase increase?
Blood amylase - what is it and how does this indicator change with pancreatic pathologies? In acute pancreatitis, it increases dramatically within 4-6 hours after the onset of the attack and continues to remain at a high level for up to five days. An increase in the enzymatic activity of amylase in blood plasma is usually independent of the severity of the disease. More often the opposite. With the destruction of the pancreas, a significant increase in the concentration of pancreatic alpha-amylase is not observed. And an increase in its level may indicate an increased output of amylase into the general bloodstream.
In what cases is it possible to increase its concentration in the blood? Usually this can be observed in the following conditions:
- Hypersecretion of pancreatic juice.
- Violation of the full outflow of pancreatic secretion through the pancreatic ducts into the duodenum 12.
- Inflammation of the pancreas itself or organs located close to it. The temperature of the inflamed organs rises and the blood flow in them increases, so there is an increased release of the enzyme into the blood.
- Pancreas injuries.
- Violation of diet and alcohol abuse.
Urine diastasis
During glomerular filtration, amylase is excreted; half of it is reabsorbed by the tubules. The remaining half is excreted in urine. An increase in urine diastase is observed under the same conditions as an increase in its concentration in the blood. It should be noted that the activity of amylase in urine is approximately 10 times higher than its activity in the blood.
Amylase - what is it and what are the permissible norms of this indicator in the blood and urine? This will be discussed further.
Alpha amylase - what is it? Normal values in blood and urine
When reading the results of the analysis for amylase, attention should be paid to the units in which it is expressed. Usually it is customary to use "u / l" - units of amylase per liter of blood and "mccatal / l" - microcatal in one liter. It should be clarified here that “rolled” is a unit for measuring catalyst activity.
Also, in different laboratories, the methods and reagents for determining amylase may differ slightly, so you should pay attention to the norms of this indicator, which are always indicated next to the result of the study. The first digit is the minimum value, the second is the maximum.
The norms of blood alpha-amylase and urine diastases are shown in the table below:
Analysis Name | Norm in mccatal / l | Norm in Unit / L |
Blood alpha amylase | 15-30 | 17-100 |
Urine diastasis | 25-100 | up to 1000 |
In those cases when there is a slight increase in indicators (by several units) and a person feels good, this is not a pathology. You need to worry about increasing the values of amylase several times. Attacks of acute pancreatitis can produce an increase in urine diastase and blood amylase by a factor of 100 or more. Typically, these attacks are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and severe pain. This condition requires immediate hospitalization.
How to test for blood and urine amylase?
Blood for this analysis is taken from a vein. Usually it is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, but if you need to determine the amylase level urgently, for example, with exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, this can be done at any time. Such an analysis can be performed by any biochemical laboratory. As a rule, modern laboratories use enzymatic methods for the diagnosis of amylase activity. This is a specific and accurate method. The analysis is fast enough.
A urine diastase test is also best done in the morning. An average portion of urine is taken and immediately delivered to the laboratory. Studies of this indicator are of great importance in the diagnosis of various diseases.