In the context of toxicology, amylase levels can be used as a biomarker to identify damage or stress in the pancreas or salivary glands due to toxic exposure. Elevated serum amylase can result from acute pancreatitis, which can be induced by exposure to certain toxins or drugs. It is important to differentiate whether the increase in amylase is due to pancreatic or salivary gland origin to ascertain the underlying cause.
