[Influence of tobacco smoking on amylase activity in serum persons occupational exposed to heavy metals].

The newest conducted investigations showed the significant role of tobacco smoking in inducing pathological changes in pancreas. Additionally exposure to heavy metals presents on polluted environment influences on function this organ. However, the mechanism of development of these changes has not been fully recognised. The aim of this study is to prove the influence of tobacco smoking on total amylase and termolabile amylase activity in serum of smoking and nonsmoking healthy persons and workers at cooper foundry in Legnica occupationally exposed to heavy metals: cadmium, arsenic, lead. Blood has been collected from 28 healthy persons and 60 founders. The enzyme total activity has been determined using the colorimetric method with substrate 1,2-odilauryl-rac-glycero-3-glutaric acid-(6-methylresorufin) ester. The thermolability activity has been determined using the thermolability test. It has been noted significant higher total amylase and thermolabile amylase activity in serum of smoking healthy persons (p < 0.0002; p < 0.002) and of non-smoking (p < 0.001; p < 0.01) and smoking founders (p < 0.0004; p < 0.001) comparison with non-smoking healthy persons. It hasn't been found significant differences in total and thermolabile amylase activity in smoking founders and non-smoking founders. The fact that there are significant differences in serum amylase activity in serum of smoking and nonsmoking founders in comparison with nonsmoking healthy persons prove a significant influence of exposure to heavy metals on exocrine function of pancreas.