Clinical evaluation of plasma phospholipase A_2 activity

Using the S-0932 RIA Kit, plasma phospholipase A_2 (PLA_2) levels were determined in normal individuale and patients with pancreatic diseases and its analogos diseases. In normal adults the valies were within 142-492ng/dl (M±2.S.D). Plasma PLA_2 activity was held at high levels in patients with pancreatitis, choleithiasis and the end-stage of cancer without panceatic cancer. With the rapid progress of the pancreatic cancer, the PLA_2 decreased probably due to broad pancreatic tissue destruction. In chronic pancreatitis, particulaly in pancreatic exocirine cases with quite etensive damage, the range of PLA_2 was low but became high with actue change. The change of plasma PLA_2 in pancreatitis was more sensitive than other markers such as plasma amylase.