To clarify the relationship of pancreatic juice to bisalbumin, we examined the effects of human pancreatic juice and pancreatic
proteolytic enzymes on
human serum albumin. Electrophoresis showed that a fast-moving band and an increased component of alpha 1-globulin appeared after incubation of serum with pancreatic juice. These components were shown to be
albumins by immunofixation and immunoelectrophoresis. The alpha 1-component increased after incubation of serum with
trypsin, and was confirmed as a slow-type
albumin by immunoelectrophoresis. Fast-type
albumin was observed after incubation of serum with
chymotrypsin, and
carboxypeptidases A and B. In all patients with pancreatic
ascites, the fast- and slow-type
albumins were seen in serum and ascitic fluid.
Bisalbumins appeared in
ascites at higher concentrations than in serum, and disappeared after surgical or
conservative treatment. The results demonstrate that human pancreatic juice can produce fast- and slow-type
albumins by
proteolytic enzymes, and they are seen in patients with pancreatic
ascites.