Biological variation in the catalytic concentration of pancreatic alpha-amylase and triacylglycerol lipase in serum.
The within-subject and between-subject biological variation in the catalytic concentration of pancreatic alpha-amylase and triacylglycerol lipase in serum have been studied. The study was performed during a 13-month period in a group of 42 supposedly healthy individuals, 19 women and 23 men. All measurements were carried out using a Hitachi 717 analyser at 37 degrees C. The medians of the within-subject biological coefficients of variation obtained for the catalytic concentration of pancreatic alpha-amylase and triacylglycerol lipase in serum were 8.1 and 38.9%, respectively. The index of individuality for the catalytic concentration of pancreatic alpha-amylase and triacylglycerol lipase in serum was 0.27 and 1.20, respectively. Consequently, it is not advisable to use population-based reference intervals for the catalytic concentration of pancreatic alpha-amylase and triacylglycerol lipase in serum.