ON THE CAUSE OF RAISED SERUM-AMYLASE IN DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS

Abstract

7 of 13 patients with diabetic ketoacidosis had raised serum-amylase concentrations. Isoenzyme analysis by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis showed that salivary-type amylases and not pancreatic-type amylases were responsible for the rise in 6 of the 7 cases. This demonstrates that the pancreas is usually not the origin of the increase in serum-amylase. Since salivary-type amylases are widely distributed in glandular epithelium, it is suggested that hyperamylasæmia in diabetic ketoacidosis is most often caused by systemic derangement of carbohydrate metabolism. © 1977.