The Assay of Human Pancreatic Phospholipase a in Pancreatic Juice and Duodenal Contents

Abstract

The potential phospholipase A activity of human pancreatic juice can be measured by potentiometric titration after activation with trypsin. An assay using egg-yolk emulsion containing 1 × 10−3MCaCl2 and 6 × 10−3M sodium deoxycholate at pH 8, 0, 40° is desoribed. In duodenal contents, the enzyme is completely activated and can be directly measured by the same assay without calcium. The assay is sensitive and reproducible, and can be easily used as a clinical test for the estimation of pancreatic function.