DESOXYRIBONUCLEASE I ACTIVITY IN PANCREATIC DISEASE 1

Abstract

Serum DNase I was determined in normal subjects, patients with various diseases unrelated to the pancreas, patients with pancreatic disease, and in animals with experimentally induced pancreatitis. A marked and protracted elevation in enzyme activity occurred only in patients with acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis and in rats with ethionine-induced pancreatitis. A temporary rise in serum DNase I was noted in dogs with pancreatic ducts ligation. It was concluded that only in true necrosis of pancreatic tissue was there a marked and sustained rise in serum DNase I.