The measurement of serum lipase activity is widely used for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.

METHOD Kinetic, Enzymatic

PRINCIPLE

The rate of increase in absorbance at 550 nm due to the formation of quinone diimine dye is directly proportional to the lipase activity in the sample.

*N-Ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)-m-toluidine

DIAGNOSTIC IMPLICATIONS A 10-fold increase of lipase activity above the upper reference limit is suggestive of pancreatitis, pancreatic injury, or inflammation of organs contiguous to the pancreas. It is recommended that other tests, such as trypsinogen and amylase isoenzymes be performed to supplement the diagnosis.