A lipase test is prescribed for suspected gastrointestinal diseases. Let's take a closer look at an enzyme called lipase - what is it? What functions in the body does it perform, and what diseases does its deviation from the norm in the test results indicate?
Lipase is an enzyme produced by certain organs of the human body. It dissolves, separates and digests various fractions of fats, and also performs a number of other important tasks. Pancreatic lipase is of primary importance. Its activity can be assessed when fats are ingested.
The enzyme “works” together with colipase (coenzyme) and bile acids. It is produced, in addition to the pancreas, by the lungs, stomach, intestines and even white blood cells - white blood cells that belong to the immune system. There is also such a thing as “lingual lipase”. What it is? This is an enzyme that is produced in the oral cavity in newborns for the primary breakdown of food, that is, for the breakdown of breast milk.
Pancreatic lipase
Its level in the blood is much higher than the level of other types of lipase. However, with pancreatectomy (removal of the pancreas), a small percentage of lipase will still remain due to its secretion by other organs. In urine tests, lipase is normally absent. After "birth" in the pancreas, it enters the intestines, where it performs its main function - breaks down fats. Pancreatic lipase plays a particularly important role. It is on her definition that blood is donated, since changes in this indicator can help in the diagnosis of many diseases. Which ones, consider below.
Pancreatic lipase - what is it? This is an enzyme produced by the pancreas that “breaks down” triglycerides into glycerol and higher fatty acids. Often, it breaks down mushrooms already emulsified by bile.
Lipase functions in the body
In addition to the breakdown of fats, lipase is involved in energy metabolism, and also takes part in the absorption of polyunsaturated fatty acids and even some vitamins - in particular, A, D, E, K.
- Hepatic lipase is responsible for the regulation of plasma lipids. It promotes the absorption of chylomicrons and low density lipoproteins.
- Gastric lipase is responsible for stimulating the cleavage of tributyrin oil.
- Lingual lipase.
Lipase assay
Lipase analysis is carried out in two cases:
- In order to detect pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas ).
- To assess the effectiveness of the treatment of pancreatitis.
A blood lipase test is considered more informative for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis than a blood amylase. However, in the late stages of acute pancreatitis , lipase levels may decrease. With uncomplicated mumps (the so-called "mumps"), its level remains within the normal range and increases only if the disease affects the pancreas. This is also possible with acute or chronic kidney diseases, although the increase in amylase in this case is more pronounced. So, we examined an enzyme called "lipase" - what it is and what functions it performs in the body. Let us dwell on a blood test for lipase.
How to prepare for the analysis?
Blood is given strictly on an empty stomach, you can drink only water before taking the test. After the last meal, at least 8-12 hours should pass. It is better to do this before taking medications or 1-2 weeks after their withdrawal. If this is not possible, before donating blood, it is necessary to report which drugs are used.
The day before taking blood, you should go on a light diet - exclude fatty, fried, spicy foods, alcohol, and also avoid heavy physical exertion. It is recommended to donate blood before conducting other studies - fluorography, radiography - or physiotherapeutic procedures.
Blood lipase rate
An indicator of many diseases is the lipase enzyme, the norm of which in adult men and women is almost the same. In adults, that is, persons who have reached 18 years of age - from 0 to 190 units. In children (up to 17 years old), a lipase content of 0 to 130 units is considered acceptable.
What does an increase in blood lipase mean?
What does increasing the level of an enzyme called lipase mean? The norm of its content indicates that the pancreas is all right, but if the indicators are increased, this may indicate the following diseases:
- Acute pancreatitis or exacerbation of a chronic disease.
- Biliary colic.
- Chronic pathologies of the gallbladder.
- Pancreas injuries.
- The presence of neoplasms in the pancreas.
- Blockage of the pancreatic ducts (stone or scar).
- Intrahepatic cholestasis (and a decrease in the flow of bile into the duodenum).
- Acute intestinal obstruction.
- Intestinal infarction.
- Peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum).
- Perforated gastric ulcer.
- Perforation of a hollow organ.
- Hepatic pathology, acute or chronic.
- Mumps ("mumps"), giving a complication of the pancreas.
- Metabolic disorders, which is usually observed with gout, diabetes, obesity.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
And also sometimes lipase rises with organ transplantation and prolonged use of medications such as barbiturates, narcotic analgesics, indomethacin, heparin.
Pancreatic lipase increases with injuries of the tubular bones. However, since lipase analysis cannot provide the necessary information about physical damage, this indicator is not taken into account for fractures.
But with damage to the pancreas, analysis for lipase and amylase is very important. Their simultaneous increase with a high level of accuracy indicates a pathological process that occurs in the cells of the gland. During the normalization of the patient's condition, the amylase level returns to normal faster than the lipase level.
Causes of a decrease in blood lipase
If lipase is lowered, it reports problems such as:
- The development of any cancer with the exception of pancreatic cancer.
- Excess triglycerides, which occurs with improper nutrition, in particular excessive consumption of fats.
- Transition of pancreatitis to the chronic stage.
Lipase in enzyme preparations
Our body produces food enzymes for the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates (the main ones are amylase, lipase and protease). However, in the case of a decrease in the production of enzymes (enzymatic deficiency), pancreatitis and other pancreatic diseases, doctors prescribe preparations containing animal enzymes - they are in the membrane, therefore they are protected even from the increased acidity of gastric juice. Reaching the duodenum, they are activated in it. Enzymes are often prescribed in short courses, but there are times when you have to drink them long enough. Long-term use of enzymes may be accompanied by some decrease in pancreatic function, however, after discontinuation of the drug, the organ's work is restored. Of pancreatic enzymes, Creon, Festal, Mezim, Pancreasim, Panzinorm and other drugs, the main active ingredient of which is pancreatin, are usually prescribed. It contains protease, lipase, amylase. The lipase level in one tablet is higher than the level of other enzymes. This is due to the fact that lipase, in comparison with other enzymes, in the disease is produced by the body in the least. Given that lipase is lowered in the body, its content in drugs is at least 10,000 units of action (UNITS).
Enzyme preparations are in most cases safe for the body. They often play the role of concomitant therapy in the treatment of antibiotics, along with pre- and probiotics, as well as vitamins and other drugs.