Globulin-bound Amylase

Abstract

A woman with adult coeliac disease and increased values of serum amylase, but without evident disease of the pancreas, salivary glands or kidneys at autopsy, is described. Using gel filtration, amylase was shown to be bound to a globulin. The inability of this enzyme protein complex with a molecular weight greater than 100,000, to be excreted by the kidney is thought to be the cause of the high serum values and low renal clearance of amylase in this patient. These findings contrasted with findings in normal subjects and in patients with raised levels of amylase, such as in acute pancreatitis, in which amylase exists as a free entity not bound to any protein.