Abstract
Serum levels of RNase, human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP), elastase 1, and amylase were measured in 323 normal human subjects aged from 18 to 116 years. In addition, Pancreozymin Secretin test (PS test) as a pancreatic exocrine function examination was performed in 372 human subjects aged 15 to 77 years without pancreas cancer, clinically definite chronic pancreatitis, and other pancreatic diseases.
Serum activity of RNase elevated with aging, in particular, markedly elevated over 70yrs and a significant possitive correlation (r=0.61, p<0.001) was observed between serum RNase activity and age.
As similar as the change in serum RNase activity, the level of serum hPP elevated with aging, and a singificant positive correlation (r=0.51, p<0.001) was also observed between serum hPP level and age. It is of interest that there was a significant correlation (r=0.44, p<0.001) between hPP and RNase.
On the other hand, the activities of serum elastase 1 and amylase did not show any significant change with aging.
As for PS test, the volume and amylase output in pancreatic juice were slightly decreased in second and eight decades respectively. However there were no significant changes in three factors in any decades of age.
In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the activity and level of serum RNase and hPP were increased with advancing age. Age factor must be considered in the clinical determination of serum RNase activity and hPP level.
