SERUM α–AMYLASE ACTIVITY IN SUDANESE PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

Abstract

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is currently considered as a common health problem in Sudan, as the disease is widely distributed in most areas of Sudan. III This study was conducted to essentially investigate status of serum α-amylase in Sudanese patients of chronic renal failure with special reference to the effects of diabetes mellitus. A group of 50 patients with chronic renal failure (14 were diabetics), undergoing regular haemodialysis, visiting Khartoum Renal Dialysis Center (KRDC), and Sudanese Transplanted Kidney Association Medical Center (STKA), during the period of May to July 2005. A total number of 25 healthy volunteers had also been enrolled in this study as a control group. Blood specimens were collected from all groups (n, 75), and the level of α- amylase using (CNP-G3) substrate, creatinine using Jaffe's reaction were determined. Similarly, urea was measured using urase enzyme whereas glucose was determined using glucose oxidase enzyme method. Statistical analysis was done, using SPSS software package for groups of patients and control. The study indicates a significant increase (P=0.022) in α- amylase levels of chronic renal failure patients when compared with control group, as a significant difference in serum α- amylase level was similarly confirmed within subgroups of patients (diabetic &non-diabetic) and control group; the level of α-amylase in groups of diabetics was less than non-diabetics group (P=0.008). Serum α- amylase is significantly correlated with creatinine and duration of diabetes mellitus (P=0.031), (P=0.008), respectively unlike blood glucose level, age, and duration of chronic renal failure