[Enzyme diagnosis of human parotid glands and its problems]

The gland-specific enzymes amylase, lysozyme and kallikrein the activities and their dependence on the speed of salivation were studied in normal persons. In these investigations the specification or standard ranges for differentiated secretion states is useful. In contrast to amylase activity, the activities of lysozyme and kallikrein weaken appreciably with increasing speed of salivation. The activity secreted, as measured in time units, increases. In the case of a diseased parotis, a comparison of enzyme activities with the standard values will show a significant reduction of lysozyme and amylase activity in the chronic processes. Acute inflammation affects the amylase activity slightly, but raises the lysozyme activity significantly. Parotid mixed tumours probably do not lead to any changes in the enzyme activities. The splitting up of amylase into isoenzymes by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and its possible importance for the diagnosis of pathological processes are discussed. First results of the splitting up of the parotid lysozyme are reported.