Unusual anodic migrating isoamylase differentiates selected malignant from nonmalignant ascites.

Ascitic fluid from nine patients with nonmalignant ascites and nine patients with malignant ascites was subjected to isoamylase analysis. Unusual isoamylase bands that migrate to the anode were demonstrated in seven of eight patients with ovarian carcinoma and in one patient with gastric carcinoma. In no case of nonmalignant ascites was anodic isoamylase found, despite the presence of normal amylase in all samples.

Effects of the cholecystokinin receptor antagonist L-364,718 on experimental pancreatitis in mice.

The effects of the cholecystokinin receptor antagonist L-364,718 was studied in a model of mild pancreatitis induced in mice by repeated injections of the secretagogue caerulein and in a lethal form of pancreatitis induced by feeding mice an ethionine-supplemented choline-deficient diet. L-364,718 prevented the caerulein-induced rise in serum amylase and pancreatic weight in a dose-dependent manner, the most effective dose being 0.1 mg/kg body wt.

Hyperamylasemia in inflammatory bowel disease.

We determined the prevalance and significance of hyperamylasemia in 180 patients with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (83 with ulcerative colitis, and 97 with Crohn's disease). Serum total amylase and pancreatic and salivary isoamylase activity were measured in all patients. In all patients with hyperamylasemia, we measured isoamylase activity by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and lipase activity, assayed for the presence of macroamylase, and carried out pancreatic ultrasound examination and barium studies of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Failure of inhibitor assay to determine isoamylase distribution.

Isoamylase distribution in the urine of normal individuals and patients admitted to the hospital with hyperamylasemia was determined by a wheat inhibitor mmethod and compared to results obtained by cellulose-acetate electrophoresis. We report two cases where the inhibitor ethod failed to give accurate results in urine, as well as serum, when compared to both electrophoresis and column chromatography. The discrepant results were due to the unexpected inhibition of P isoamylase.

Comparison of electrophoretic isoamylase patterns among various species.

The electrophoretic pattern of isoamylase in the serum, urine, pancreas, salivary gland, liver, and small intestine of the dog, pig, rat, hamster, and prairie dog was compared to man. Great species variation in isoamylase patterns was noted. These variations should be kept in mind when studying pancreatic disease in species other than man.

Macroamylase in the pleural fluid of a patient with lymphoma.

A patient with a macroamylase in pleural fluid is described. A diagnosis of recurrent pleural effusion due to chronic relapsing pancreatitis had been made on the basis of hyperamylasemia, high pleural fluid amylase, and abdominal pain. The amylase in the pleural fluid as well as the serum was ultimately characterized as a macroamylase on electrophoresis and chromatography.

Nonimmune chemotaxis in vivo: inhibition by complement depletion with cobra factor.

Wistar rats were depleted of complement components using purified cobra venom factor (CoF) administered over a 30-hour period by intraperitoneal injection. Complement depletion was confirmed by immunodiffusion assay, hemolytic assay and inhibition of the reverse Arthus reaction. Rats depleted to below 3% of their normal serum complement level showed marked inhibition of chemotaxis into inflammatory fluid produced in polyvinyl sponges 24 hours after implantation into the dorsal subcutaneous region.