Radioimmunoassay of trypsin. A new aid in the assessment of pancreatic function.

This review describes the development and application of a novel test to 
determine levels of human immunoreactive trypsin, an enzyme produced solely by 
the pancreas, in biological fluids. Being organ- specific, the assay of 
immunoreactive trypsin should be an ideal marker of pancreatic function, and 
this is supported by the results of a number of clinical 
and research investigations. Use of this assay in studies of chronic 
pancreatitis, juvenile-onset diabetes, and cystic fibrosis has yielded much valuable data, 
and it is expected that further research will lead to an 
improved understanding of these and other conditions associated with the pancreas 
in health and disease. 