AGE AND SEX-DEPENDENT ALTERATIONS OF SERUM AMYLASE AND ISOAMYLASE LEVELS IN NORMAL HUMAN ADULTS

Total amylase and salivary- and pancreatic-type isoamylase levels were assayed in sera from 606 apparently healthy adults of different sex a nd age groups. There were significant differences in both total amylas e and isoamylase levels, depending on age and sex, one of the characte ristics being that levels of these three enzymes were significantly hi gher in the elderly group in both men and women than in other age grou ps. Another feature was that all of these enzyme levels were significa ntly greater in women in the third and fourth decade than in men. Age and sex differences should be taken into consideration in the evaluati on of mild hyperamylasemia.