Pancreatic lipase is a digestive enzyme that belongs to a group with the same name. In its effect on lipids, it has a similarity to the hepatic lipase of blood. The enzyme is important in the digestion of fats.
The enzyme enters the digestive tract in the form of an inactive enzyme( prolipase), where, under the influence of colipase and bile acids, it becomes active. The beginning of enzyme synthesis is observed in the pancreas, where it is secreted into the small intestine and into the lumen of the 12-типерстной gut. At the same time, food fats( fatty acids and triglycerides) are broken down.
The enzyme hydrolyzes the fat molecules that come with eating. The normal volume of the enzyme is 13-60 units per 1 ml of blood.
In pancreatic diseases, an increase in the activity of the enzyme and its massive release into the blood are observed. Sometimes the activation of the enzyme is observed in trauma. The volume of it can decrease with oncology or malnutrition.
The lipase content for pancreatic damage is determined in serum. In this case, a blood test for the volume of the enzyme and an analysis of amylase indicates a pathology in the organ.
Lipase for chronic pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas, where, in the future, connective tissue proliferates. As a result of the pathological process, the production and release of hormones and enzymes decreases. Lipase in chronic pancreatitis is produced in small amounts, which leads to digestion and the manifestation of various symptoms. There are also periods of exacerbation( due to alcohol abuse or eating disorders) and periods of symptoms subsidence.
The disease develops with excessive pressure in the pancreatic duct with stagnation of the produced juice. Due to prolonged stagnation, there is a violation of the structure of the organ and the penetration of enzymes into the tissue of the organ. The cells of the organ are destroyed, and a chronic inflammatory process develops.
In pancreatitis, it is advisable to determine the activity of lipase, but at late stages of the disease, the enzyme level may decrease in parallel with a decrease in the synthetic function and destructive changes in the pancreas.
In 20% of patients, there is an increase in serum lipase after taking secretin and cholecystokinin. Approximately 10% of patients on an empty stomach have an increase in the volume of the enzyme.