SERUM PROCARBOXYPEPTIDASE-B, AMYLASE AND LIPASE IN CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE

Procarboxypeptidase B (human pancreas-specific protein) has been repor ted to be a good serum marker for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The current study was conducted in order to evaluate the frequency an d degree of elevated serum levels of procarboxypeptidase B in chronic renal failure and their correlations with serum levels of amylase, lip ase and renal function tests. Blood samples were taken from 84 asympto matic patients with chronic renal failure, including 34 patients with periodical haemodialysis and 50 patients without haemodialysis, Serum levels of procarboxypeptidase B, amylase, lipase, creatinine and blued urea nitrogen were measured, Serum levels of procarboxypeptidase B in 84 patients were 63.4 +/- 5.5 mu g/L significantly greater than the f igure of 29.6 +/- 1.6 mu g/L in healthy adults in our previous report (P < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in serum levels of PC PB between patients with and without haemodialysis (78.0 +/- 9.4 vs 53 .6 +/- 6.3 mu g/L; P < 0.01). The frequencies of elevated serum levels of procarboxypeptidase B, amylase and lipase greater than upper norma l limits were 27.4, 35.7 and 26.2%, respectively. The frequencies of e levated PCPB in patients with and without haemodialysis were 38.2 and 20%, respectively, Only one patient had a serum procarboxypeptidase B level greater than three-fold the upper normal limit. A significant co rrelation was found between procarboxypeptidase B and lipase (r = 0.78 5; P < 0.0001). No significant correlation was noted between procarbox ypeptidase B vs amylase or renal function tests. In conclusion, in pat ients with chronic renal failure, the elevation of serum procarboxypep tidase B is as common as the elevations of other pancreatic enzymes.