Objective: To evaluate a newly developed ELISA mass assay for Pancreat
ic Amylase. Methods: The serum levels of pancreatic amylase were measu
red by an in-house developed ELISA assay on microtitre plate and compa
red with two activity assays: immunoinhibition and electrophoresis. Re
sults: The proposed method was accurate and precise, as indicated by a
recovery of 102% and coefficient of variation of less than 5% for wit
hin-run and less than 10% for between-run assay. The proposed assay sh
owed good correlation with the activity assays (r = 0.98). The mass co
ncentrations were three times higher than the activities. The relative
values (mass or activity units/upper reference limits), however, were
concordant in controls and in pancreatic and non-pancreatic condition
s. Conclusion: our results indicate that the activity measurements and
mass concentrations of pancreatic amylase in serum are comparable and
interchangeable after adjusting for the reference range.