Alpha-amylase pancreatic increased / decreased in the blood and urine. What is the amylase rate?

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Alpha-amylase pancreatic increased / decreased in the blood and urine. What is the amylase rate?
Alpha-amylase pancreatic increased / decreased in the blood and urine. What is the amylase rate?
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What is alpha amylase (pancreatic)?

Alpha amylase
Alpha amylase

Alpha-amylase is one of the enzymes of the digestive system, synthesized mainly by cells of the pancreas of the exocrine type and is responsible for the breakdown of complex carbohydrate food components, starch and glycogen to simple carbohydrates (glucose). This enzyme is produced in a small amount by the salivary glands, being part of the saliva. Normally, a minimal amount of alpha-amylase penetrates into the general circulation, since the pancreas has a very good blood supply. Passing through the kidneys, the enzyme is excreted in the urine.

In this regard, two diagnostic studies of the enzymatic activity of this amylase class are used in laboratory diagnostics:

  1. blood alpha amylase;
  2. Urine diastasis (urine amylase).

Norm of amylase in the blood

In each laboratory that conducts a blood test for the level of alpha-amylase, there are certain standards for this indicator. Therefore, in the form next to the result obtained, the norm is indicated, taking into account the units of measurement and the reagents used to determine it. The most commonly followed standards are:

  1. When measuring the activity of alpha-amylase in mkatal/l – 16-30;
  2. When measuring the activity of alpha-amylase in U / l - 20-100;

Norm in women

Despite the differences in biochemical processes in the male and female body, there are no significant differences in blood amylase activity in a laboratory study. Therefore, the average blood amylase norms have such a wide range. It is common to both males and females.

Why is amylase elevated in the blood?

The increase in the concentration of blood alpha-amylase (hyperamylasemia) in most cases is based on pathological processes in the pancreas and damage to organs located next to it. The mechanism of occurrence of such a pathological condition can be explained by an increased release of amylase from pancreatic cells into the systemic circulation.

This can happen under the following circumstances:

  1. Excess secretion of pancreatic juice;
  2. Preventing the full outflow of pancreatic secretions through the excretory ducts into the duodenum;
  3. Inflammatory changes in the pancreas or nearby organs. In this case, there is an increase in blood flow, which ends with an increased release of enzymes into the blood;
  4. Traumatic or necrotic destruction of pancreatic tissue;

Such pathogenic mechanisms underlie conditions:

  1. Acute pancreatitis;
  2. Chronic pancreatitis in the acute stage;
  3. Focal pancreatic necrosis (local self-digestion of the pancreas);
  4. Cancerous tumors of any part of the pancreas, primarily its head;
  5. Cholelithiasis, especially with the presence of stones in the ductal system;
  6. Tumours and wedged stones of Vater's papilla of the duodenum, where the excretory pancreatic duct opens;
  7. Mumps virus;

Important to remember! A slight increase in amylase is when its numbers are several units of measurement higher than normal. If a person's well-being is not disturbed, this does not indicate pathology. The excess of the norm by 2 or more times should be alarming. This version of the results almost always indicates the pathology of the pancreas.

Why amylase is low in the blood?

Why amylase is low in the blood
Why amylase is low in the blood

In general, if blood amylase tends to zero, this is a normal condition, which indicates the ability of the pancreas to keep this enzyme under control. But in practice this does not happen. In each person, the study of amylase will reveal its certain amount in the composition of the plasma. If the obtained indicator is much less than the lower limit of the norm, then this indicates that the enzymatic activity of the pancreas is sharply reduced.

This can be with diseases:

  1. Total pancreatic necrosis (complete self-digestion of the pancreas);
  2. Malignant tumors of the pancreas 4 stages, when the normal glandular tissue of the organ is replaced by a tumor;
  3. Cystic fibrosis is a fermentopathy of congenital origin;
  4. Surgeries on the pancreas, in which most of the organ is removed.

Norm of amylase in urine

Amylase, which is determined in the urine, is called diastase. Its activity is several times higher than blood amylase. This can be explained by the fact that amylase is in a more dilute state in the blood. Passing through the kidneys, it is concentrated in a small volume of urine. Therefore, its definition is used more often. Moreover, for analysis, you just need to collect urine. The only thing to remember is the possibility of increasing diastase, not only due to the pathology of the pancreas.

The established laboratory norms for diastasis are as follows:

  1. In units/l – up to 1000;
  2. V mkatal/l – 28-100.

Why is urine amylase elevated?

Pancreatic necrosis
Pancreatic necrosis

All conditions that are accompanied by an increase in blood amylase automatically cause an increase in urine diastasis.

It could be:

  1. Acute and chronic pancreatitis;
  2. Pancreatic necrosis;
  3. Tumors of the pancreas;
  4. Any form of gallstone disease and hepatitis;
  5. Mistakes in diet and alcohol abuse. The most dangerous combination of these factors;
  6. Acute pathology of the internal organs of a surgical nature (appendicitis, destructive cholecystitis, intestinal obstruction, perforated ulcer);
  7. Ectopic pregnancy.

Important to remember! A slight increase in urine diastase can indicate either small deviations in the work of the pancreas, or diseases of organs that are in anatomical proximity to the pancreas. Exceeding the norm by two or more times is always pancreatic problems.

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