Relationship between Serum Amylase Activity and Carbohydrate Metabolism in Normal Persons

Abstract

Effect of fasting, food intake and glucose administration on serum amylase acivity was investigated. On the high protein diets, an increase of serum amylase activity was observed. On the other hand, a marked decrease in serum maylase activity and increase in blood glucose levels were found after high carbohydrate diets and glucose administration (per oral and intravenous). The decrease of serum amylase activity was chiefly in the pancreatic type isoamylases in both conditions. This suggests that the increased blood glucose concentrations reduce the discharge of the pancreatic amylase into blood stream. On the contrary, a significant decrease both in serum and urinary amylase activity and blood glucose levels were observed in the fasting state. The decrease of amylase activity was also in the pancreatic type isoamylases. From these observations it is conceivable that amylase secretion from the pancreas is influenced by complex interactions among blood glucose concentrations, gastrointestinal hormones, nervous system and others, and that amylase has a function in the body other than that performed in digestion. © 1977, The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology. All rights reserved.