Amylase

Amylase is a digestive enzyme primarily made in the pancreas and salivary glands. Its main role is the digestion of carbohydrates down to the constituent monosaccharides. ⍺-amylase catalyzes the hydrolysis of ⍺-1,4 linkages in monosaccharides. Elevated amylase levels are commonly seen when the pancreas or salivary glands are inflamed or damaged. This can indicate acute or chronic pancreatitis, mumps, intestinal obstruction, abdominal trauma, common duct obstruction, perforated duodenal or gastric ulcer.