Abstract
Pancreatic and salivary isoamylases not discerned by a chromatographic method previously described have been detected by a modification of that method. Detailed analysis of the nature of these isoamylases and their distribution showed that the pancreatic type (P-type) and salivary type (S-type) isoamylases in pancreatic extract and saliva appear in normal urine along with an isoamylase of unknown origin (X-type). Normal serum could not be similarly studied because of the low amylase activity in such serum. However, the X-type isoamylase fraction was found in three hyperamylasemic sera, including one from a patient with lung carcinoma who produced S-type amylase. Study of 25 samples of human milk revealed high amylase activity and no detectable P-type; S-type components were found along with the X-type component. Parallel patterns of variation were found in human milk in two patients studied for six months postpartum. Salivary amylase and the S-type amylase in milk and in the serum of the patient with lung carcinoma and marked hyperamylasemia appeared to be similar, and may be identical.
The value of anticarcinoembryonic antigen, human milk factor globulin, and antikeratin antibodies in differentiating mesothelioma from lung carcinoma.
