Lipase is an enzyme produced in the digestive tract and is responsible for the digestion of lipids. There are different types of lipase depending on where it occurs. The most important function in the body, however, is pancreatic lipase. Its level is determined when pancreatic diseases are suspected.
Contents:
- Lipaza - types
- Lipaza - study
- Lipaza - elevated level
- Lipaza - lowered level
- Lipaza - receiving
Lipaseis produced in the form of an inactive proenzyme. It is activated only in an alkaline environment. Its optimal effect occurs at a pH close to 8.
Lipases play an important role in catalyzing the hydrolysis of fats to fatty acids and glycerol at the water-lipid interface and the reverse reaction in a non-aqueous medium. Lipases are thermostable enzymes. The source of thermally resistant lipases are mainly bacteria.
Lipaza - types
- Linguistic lipase
Linguistic lipase is an enzyme secreted by the salivary glands. Thanks to it, some fats, for example from milk, are already hydrolyzed in the stomach. The optimal pH for its activity is 2.2-6.0.
- Gastric lipase
Produced and secreted by the main cells of the stomach, it acts at acidic pH to hydrolyze some triglycerides to free fatty acids and diglycerides.
- Intestinal lipase
Found in intestinal juice, supports the action of pancreatic lipase.
- Pancreatic lipase
The optimal effect is at a pH close to 8.0. Hydrolyses almost all food triacylglycerols in positions 1 and 3 of glycerol releasing fatty acids and monoacylglycerols. In the presence of bile s alts, the activity of lipase is reduced, but thanks to collipase, lipase fully regains its ability to hydrolyze dietary fats.
- Lactic lipase
Occurs in breast milk, it is stable between pH 3.5 and 9. This property allows it to remain active while passing through the acidic environment of the stomach. It is believed that lipase shows full digestive activity only in the duodenum and in the presence of bile acids.
Lipaza - study
Lipase testing may be ordered on a patient withsymptoms of abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, fever. The doctor orders an examination if there is a suspicion of pancreatic diseases or to evaluate the effects of treatment.
Diseases in the course of which lipase concentration is monitored:
- chronic pancreatitis, acute pancreatitis (acute pancreatitis also usually has elevated levels of amylase, but lipase levels rise more slowly and stay high for longer.
- cystic fibrosis
- celiakia
- Crohn's disease
The patient reports on an empty stomach to collect blood from the vein of the upper limb.
The test result can most often be collected the next day.
It is estimated that the norm for lipase does not exceed 150 U / l.
When interpreting the results, the reference range given by the laboratory should be taken into account. However, it is up to the doctor to evaluate the test result.
There are many factors that influence the test result. These include:
- age
- gender
- study population
- test method
Lipaza - elevated level
The most common causes of increased serum lipase activity are:
- acute pancreatitis
- acute cholecystitis
- ulcer perforation
- intestinal obstruction
- intestinal infarction
- acute and chronic renal failure (2-3 fold increase in 80% of patients)
- complications after organ transplant
- alcohol abuse
- ketoacidosis
Lipaza - lowered level
Low blood lipase level may be a sign of:
- diabetes
- hypertension
- high cholesterol
- genetic hyperlipidemia
- Important: Reduced lipase activity occurs in newborns
Lipaza - receiving
Lipases are typically obtained from higher eukaryotes and microorganisms that include bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and actinomycetes. Microorganisms that produce lipase occur in a variety of environments, including in plants producing vegetable oils, dairies, soils contaminated with oils.
Microbial lipases are mainly obtained by submerged fermentation. Factors that influence its production are: concentration of carbon and nitrogen sources, environmental pH, temperature, concentration of dissolved oxygen. Most microbial lipases are active in an alkaline environment (7.0-9.0)
About the author
Natalia MłyńskaStudent of medicine at the Medical University of Lodz. Her greatest passion ismedicine. He also loves sports, mainly running and dancing. She would like to treat her future patients in such a way as to see them as a human being, not only a disease.
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