Trypsin

Determination of trypsin in duodenal fluid with Chromogenic Substrate S-2222™

Measurement Principle

Trypsin catalyzes the hydrolysis of p-nitroaniline (pNA) from the chromogenic substrate Bz-Ile-Glu-(OR)-Gly-Arg-pNA (chromogenic substrate S-2222). The rate at which pNA is released is followed on a photometer at 405 nm. The reaction rate increases linearly with increasing activities of trypsin up to at least 4.8 µkat/l, which corresponds to a trypsin concentration of 2 mg/l.

Trypsin
Bz-Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg-pNA + H2O   →   Bz-Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg-OH + pNA

 

Reagents

  1. Chromogenic S-2222, 25 mg Art. No. 82 03 16
    Reconstitute the substrate S-2222 (MW: 741.3) with 34 ml of distilled water.
  2. Tris/Calcium Buffer, pH 8.2 (25°C)Tris 6.1 g (50 mmol/l)
    CaCl2 2.2 g (20 mmol/l)
    Distilled water 800 mlAdjust the pH to 8.2 at 25°C by adding an appropriate amount of 1 mol/l HCl. Make up to 1000 ml with distilled water. If not contaminated by microorganisms, the buffer is stable for six months at 2 to 8°C.
  3. HCl, 1 mmol/l
    1 mmol/l HCl is used for dilution of samples.

 

Sample

A single lumen plastic tube is used (ID:2 mm, OD:4 mm, length: 125 cm) with 4-6 holes cut in the distal 10 cm and a stainless leader at the tip. The position of the tube is checked by X-ray immediately before the test. Duodenal fluid is collected after stimulating pancreatic secretion with either 300 ml of water, orally, or preferably secretin, intravenously, 1U/kg body weight.

Duodenal fluid is collected in 4 x 15 min samples by siphon action in 250 ml plastic bottles and kept on ice (1°C). The samples may be stored at -20°C for not more than a week. Just before analysis, thaw the sample quickly at 37°C. If the fluid is turbid, centrifuge it at 2-8°C and then keep the supernatant on ice. Determine the pH of the samples. (Note: if the pH of the duodenal fluid is below 5, this indicates the presence of a large amount of gastric juice, which may yield an incorrect value).

Dilute the sample at 1:100 or 1:1000 with 1 mmol/l HCl and keep it on ice. At low trypsin activities the sample is assayed undiluted or diluted 1:10.

 

Method

Initial rate method

Buffer 800 µl
Incubate at 37°C 5-6 min
Diluted sample (20-25°C) 100 µl
Incubate at 37°C 1-2 min
Substrate (37°C) 100 µl
Mix  

Transfer the sample immediately to a 1 cm semi-microcuvette (preheated to 37°C) and measure the change in absorbance in a photometer at 405 nm and at 37°C.

 

Calculation

Calculate ΔA/min for the sample.
The trypsin activity is then calculated from the formula:

µkat/l = ΔA/min x 17.36 x F

U/l = ΔA/min x 1042 x F

F = Dilution factor for sample (e.g. 100 when diluted 1:100).

 

Bibliography

  1. Bergström K & Lundh G. Determination of trypsin in duodenal fluid as a test of pancreatic function. A methodological note. Scand J Gastroent 5, 533-536, (1970).
  2. Bergström K. Determination of trypsin in duodenal fluid using a new chromogenic substrate and a reaction rate instrument. LKB application note 211, March 1976.