Insight into the exocrine pancreatic function (serum amylase and lipase) in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Insulin has its effect on the basal and stimulatory secretion of exocrine pancreatic enzymes. In this context this study has been done to understand the relationship between the exocrine and endocrine entities of pancreas by analyzing two most commonly estimated exocrine enzymes; serum amylase and serum lipase in type 2 DM. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka from January 2012 to December 2012. Hundred clinically diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus {Fifty well controlled (HbA1c < 7> Results: Serum amylase and serum lipase levels were within the reference range in all the three study groups. There was no significant difference in serum amylase among well controlled and poorly controlled type 2 DM. In contrast, significant difference in serum amylase levels was observed between diabetic group and controls (p<0> Conclusion: The potential underlying connection between exocrine and endocrine function of pancreas in patients with type 2 DM needs further investigation with larger population; to consider the analysis of serum pancreatic enzymes especially serum lipase levels as an additional informative parameter to assess the glycemic control in type 2 DM.