Amylase - what is it? The norm of amylase in the blood

Amylase - what is this and what function does it perform in the body? By this term we mean an entire group of enzymes, which are united under the common name "amylase." In total there are three varieties of this substance: alpha, beta and gamma. For the human body, alpha-amylase is particularly important. About it, we now talk.

Where is it synthesized?

Amylase - what is it? The name of this enzyme comes from the Greek word "amylon", which in Russian means "starch." In the human body, amylase is found in a number of tissues and organs. It is an enzyme (hydrolase), which 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 is released along the pancreatic ducts into the digestive tract, more precisely into the 12-colon. In addition to the pancreas, the salivary glands are also capable of synthesizing amylase. The enzyme contained in the saliva initiates the hydrolysis of starch when still food is in the mouth. Thus, the process of digestion begins immediately, as soon as the 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 the urine.

Blood alpha-amylase - what is it? More details about this we'll talk just below.

When is the analysis assigned?

Helps evaluate the body's blood test. Amylase - what is it, under what diseases does it increase in blood? The level of alpha-amylase in the blood plasma can increase several times with the following pathologies:

1. Acute or chronic pancreatitis during an exacerbation.
2. Pancreonecrosis of focal.
3. Oncology of the pancreas.
4. Gallstone disease (in the presence of separate concrements in the duct system).
5. Acute appendicitis.
6. Renal insufficiency.
7. Gastric hemorrhage.
8. Intestinal obstruction.
9. Alcoholism and alcohol intoxication.
10. AIDS.
11. Viral hepatitis.
12. Parotitis.
13. Sarcoidosis.
14. Typhoid fever.
15. Injuries of the abdominal cavity (upper part).

The level of alpha-amylase is lowered or not at all determined in cases of total necrosis of the pancreas, with oncology of this organ of the 4th stage, because The gland tissue is replaced by a tumor, as well as cystic fibrosis (congenital pathology). In surgical interventions, when a significant part of the gland is removed, the level of amylase can also be sharply reduced.

At what conditions does amylase rise in the blood?

Amylase of blood - what is it and how does this change in pancreatic pathologies? In acute pancreatitis, it increases dramatically within 4-6 hours after the onset of the attack and continues to hold at a high level up to five days. The increase in the enzymatic activity of amylase in the blood plasma is usually independent of the severity of the disease. More often than not. In 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 yield of amylase in the total blood flow.

In what cases is it possible to increase its concentration in the blood? Usually this can be observed under the following conditions:

1. Hyper secretion of pancreatic juice.
2. Violation of a full-fledged pancreatic secretion outflow along the pancreatic ducts into the 12-colon.
3. Inflammation of the pancreas itself or close to it located organs. The temperature of the inflamed organs rises and the blood flow in them increases, so there is an increased output of the enzyme into the blood.
4. Pancreatic injury.
5. Dysfunction and alcohol abuse.

Diastasis of urine

With glomerular filtration, amylase is excreted, half of it is reabsorbed by tubules. The remaining half is excreted along with the 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 levels of this indicator in the blood and urine? This will be discussed further.

Alpha-amylase - what is it? Normal values in the blood and urine

When reading the results of the analysis for amylase, you should pay attention to the units in which it is expressed. It is usually accepted to use "U / L" - units of amylase per one liter of blood and "microcalcules / liter" - a microcatalogue in one liter. Here it should be explained that "catalase" is a unit for measuring the activity of a catalyst.

Also, in different laboratories, the methods and reagents for determining amylase may differ slightly, so it is worth paying 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 alpha-amylase and urine diastase are given in the table below:

In those cases when there is a slight increase in indicators (by several units) and the person feels well, this is not a pathology. You need to worry about increasing the values of amylase several times. Attacks of acute pancreatitis can give rise to diastase of urine and blood amylase 100 times or more. Usually these attacks are accompanied by nausea, vomiting and severe pain. This condition requires immediate hospitalization.

How to pass the test for blood and urine amylase?

The blood for this analysis is taken from the vein. Usually it is given in the morning on an empty stomach, but if you need to determine the level of amylase urgently, for example, with exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis, it can be done at any time. Such an analysis can be performed by any biochemical laboratory. As a rule, modern laboratories use enzymatic methods to diagnose the activity of amylase. This is a specific and accurate method. The analysis is performed quickly enough.

An analysis for urine diastase is also better to take in the morning. Take an average portion of urine and immediately delivered to the laboratory. Studies of this indicator are of great importance in the diagnosis of various diseases.