Human pancreatic elastase 1 (E1) remains undegraded during intestinal transit. Therefore its concentration in feces reflects pancreatic exocrine function. During an inflammatory episode of the pancreas, E1 is released into the blood circulation. Thus the quantification of pancreatic elastase 1 in serum allows diagnosis or exclusion of acute pancreatitis.

Two ELISA test kits (as of 5/8/2002...based on monoclonal antibodies) are available for the determination of pancreatic elastase 1. The stool test quantifies E1 in stool, allowing the diagnosis or exclusion of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, which can be caused by chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic tumor, cholelithiasis or diabetes mellitus for example. The serum test quantifies E1 in serum, allowing the diagnosis or exclusion of an acute pancreatitis or an inflammatory episode of chronic pancreatitis or ERCP- or gallstone-induced pancreatitis.