Lipase is a water-soluble enzyme that synthesizes the human body. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of insoluble esters, and also helps neutral fats to be digested, dissolved and fractionated.
Main function
The enzyme lipase along with bile promotes the digestion of fats, as well as fatty acids. He is involved in the processing of fat-soluble vitamins A, E, D, K and transforms them into heat and energy.
Blood lipase breaks down triglycerides (lipids). Due to this, fatty acids are delivered directly to body tissues.
What organs produce lipase
In the human body, the lipase enzyme is produced:
- in the pancreas;
- in the liver;
- in the lungs;
- in the intestines.
In addition, the enzyme is produced in infants in the oral cavity due to special glands. In babies, lingual lipase is synthesized, which acts on milk fats.
Each organ supplies a specific enzyme that breaks down strictly defined groups of fats.
The purpose of lipase in the human body
So, the main mission of lipase of any type is the processing of fats, their breakdown and fractionation. Also, this substance is actively involved in the exchange of energy, promotes the absorption of polyunsaturated fatty acids, certain vitamins.
The most important enzyme is produced by the pancreas. Pancreatic lipase is an enzyme with which lipids are absorbed whole and fully. It enters the digestive tract, where, under the influence of colipase, which is also an enzyme of the pancreas, combines with bile acids and is converted into an active form. Pancreatic lipase plays an important role - it breaks down triglycerides (neutral fats) into two components: glycerin and higher fatty acids.
Differences between different types of lipase
As noted above, different types of lipase interact with certain types of fat.
Hepatic lipase works with low density lipoproteins. It is she who acts as a regulator of the plasma lipid content.
Gastric lipase actively cleaves tributyrin oil. Lingual is involved in the breakdown of fats found in breast milk.
Rate and deviation
By the level of how much lipase is present in the blood, one can judge the state of the human body. Deviations in the direction of increase or decrease allow doctors to identify diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, with complaints of ailments, doctors prescribe a general analysis. Lipase - what is it: normal or deviations? There are certain general criteria.
- In adults, regardless of gender, who turned 17 years old, the lipase index per 1 milliliter of blood should be from 0 to 190 units.
- For children and adolescents, this indicator is slightly lower and should normally fit into the range from 0 to 130 units.
- If the level of pancreatic lipase is examined, then 13-60 units of the enzyme per 1 ml of blood will be the norm. Everything above these indicators indicates a malfunction in the body.
If the indicators exceed the norm
If lipase is elevated, is it worth the alarm? Yes, this fact must be paid close attention to. And only a doctor with the help of tests and additional examination methods can make an accurate diagnosis. After all, lipase is an enzyme involved in many metabolic processes, and only a specialist can determine which organ is affected.
Lipase is increased in such diseases:
- Pancreatitis This enzyme becomes greater in acute forms of the disease, as well as during an exacerbation of the chronic process.
- Biliary colic.
- Pancreatic injury, as a rule, is accompanied by a sharp rise in this enzyme.
- Neoplasms in the pancreas.
- Chronic pathologies of the gallbladder contribute to a large volume of lipase production.
- The presence of cysts in the pancreas.
- Blockage of the pancreatic duct with a stone or scar.
- Intrahepatic cholestasis.
- Acute intestinal obstruction.
- Peritonitis.
- Intestinal infarction.
- Perforated gastric ulcer.
- Perforation of internal organs.
- Parotitis.
As you can see, the list of diseases in which the level of lipase in the blood rises is very large. Add to it the numerous metabolic disturbances in the body that accompany diabetes mellitus, gout or obesity, as well as cirrhosis of the liver or prolonged improper use of medications, and the list will be doubled. It is worth remembering that lipase is an enzyme that is actively involved in the metabolic process, so any operation can also provoke its increased production in the body.
Therefore, you should never make a diagnosis yourself, solely by analysis and after reading medical books. Only a specialist, relying on a set of other studies, can accurately identify the cause of the pathology and develop the right treatment recommendations.
Important nuances
Sometimes lipase begins to be produced intensively after injuries. With a fracture of the tubular bones , an increase in this enzyme in the blood is observed. And doctors are also well aware of this.
The level of lipase is very important to accurately determine when the pancreas is affected. If amylase (an enzyme that breaks down starch) is overestimated in the blood, then the doctor can diagnose pancreatic pathology with great confidence.
As soon as it is possible to remove the inflammation from the diseased organ, both of these indicators return to normal. True, amylase recovers much faster. But lipase for a long time may be higher than normal.
In this case, the amount of enzyme does not increase immediately. If pancreatitis has begun, then on the first day lipase counts are still in the acceptable norm. Very rarely, they rise immediately. Usually, according to the analysis, the disease is determined only on the third day.
After the onset of the inflammatory process, a high level of lipase is noted from three to seven days. And only then indicators gradually fall.
Particular attention should be paid if the lipase level is exceeded 10 or more times. Doctors consider such indicators extremely unfavorable. In this case, immediate treatment is required.
Low blood lipase
A high lipase content indicates serious malfunctions in the body. But its reduced content speaks of some serious diseases.
A low level of this enzyme is observed:
- If the body has a malignant neoplasm, and not only in the gastrointestinal tract.
- If the function of the pancreas is reduced.
- With cystic fibrosis (or otherwise cystic fibrosis). This is a serious genetic disease with relapses that requires a long treatment. It occurs due to pathological damage to the endocrine glands.
- After surgery, when the pancreas is removed.
- Due to improper nutrition, when a large amount of fatty food is present in the diet.
Doctors also note that if the lipase level is low for a long time, this may indicate that pancreatitis has become chronic.
If you have problems with metabolism, with the gastrointestinal tract, it is simply necessary to monitor the level of lipase in the blood. This is an important indicator that will allow you to detect the disease in time and begin timely treatment.