Associations between serum amylase, lipase and pancreatic specific lipase in dogs

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis is a common and potentially life-threatening disease in dogs. Diagnosis of pancreatitis relies on a combination of history, clinical evaluation, serum biochemistry analysis, imaging, pancreatic specific lipase and in some cases, biopsy and histology. Amylase and lipase have traditionally been utilised as cheap and non-invasive indicators of pancreatic disease; however, these analytes have limited sensitivity and specificity. Newer tests such as pancreatic specific lipase offer higher sensitivity and specificity. However, as in other species, it appears likely that interpretation all of these analytes may be difficult in cases with concurrent renal insufficiency.

Advances in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in dogs

“…This finding is not unexpected because pancreatic lipase is negatively charged and fairly large, with a molecular mass of approximately 50.7 kDa 81 . A retrospective study of 864 serum samples at a commercial laboratory found that azotemic dogs had higher median amylase activity, lipase activity, and cPLI concentrations when compared to nonazotemic dogs 82 . Likewise, a retrospective study documented that renal disease was the most common nonpancreatic cause of increased DGGR lipase activity, but the increases were poorly correlated with plasma creatinine concentrations, suggesting a complex interaction 83 .…”

“… 81 A retrospective study of 864 serum samples at a commercial laboratory found that azotemic dogs had higher median amylase activity, lipase activity, and cPLI concentrations when compared to nonazotemic dogs. 82 Likewise, a retrospective study documented that renal disease was the most common nonpancreatic cause of increased DGGR lipase activity, but the increases were poorly correlated with plasma creatinine concentrations, suggesting a complex interaction. 83 An additional study noted a high prevalence of increased Spec cPL (Texas A&M University, Gastrointestinal Laboratory) concentrations in dogs with hemodialysis‐dependent AKI.…”

Hyperlipasemia in dogs with acute kidney injury treated with and without hemodialysis

“…The most common biomarkers for AP currently used in dogs are lipase activity using the 1,2‐ o ‐dilauryl‐rac‐glycero glutaric acid‐(6′‐methylresorufin) ester assay (DGGR‐lipase) and concentrations of canine pancreas‐specific lipase (cPL; Spec cPL, IDEXX laboratories), 6‐8 both of which may be affected by extrapancreatic diseases 9‐12 . In particular, increased cPL concentrations or lipase activity have been reported in dogs with kidney disease, 13‐15 with cPL concentrations ≥400 μg/L in 21/30 dogs with severe AKI in 1 study 14 . However, most studies showed poor correlation between plasma creatinine concentrations and either lipase activity or cPL concentrations 16‐18 …”