Activity of serum alpha-amylases in cystic fibrosis.

A new method which uses a differential inhibitor to measure pancreatic and 
salivary type alpha-amylases (EC 3.2.1.1) was applied to serum samples from 
46 cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (age range 4- 14 years) and 
50 controls of the same age group. The levels of pancreatic 
type amylase were lower in the CF patients (median 26.5 I.U./1) 
than the controls (median 81.5) (P less than 0.001). The results 
for salivary-type enzyme, however, did not support the previously reported finding 
of higher than usual levels in CF patients. This discrepancy is 
probably due to differences in analytical methods. It is felt that 
this procedure will be of value in the investigation of patients 
for cystic fibrosis and other pancreatic disorders. 