Plasma-immunoreactive trypsin in chronic renal failure.

Plasma-immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) was measured by radioimmunoassay in 52 patients with chronic renal failure. 29 were on conservative treatment, 14 on-regular haemodialysis, and 9 on regular haemofiltration. IRT levels were elevated in those with raised plasma creatinine and there was a significant positive correlation to plasma creatinine concentrations (r = 0.853; p less than 0.001). IRT levels were not significantly altered by haemodialysis or haemofiltration. It is concluded that the kidney plays an important role in the metabolism of plasma trypsin. Since plasma IRT levels may be elevated in patients with chronic renal failure, the IRT determination may be misleading in diagnosing acute and chronic pancreatitis in the presence of kidney disease.