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 does it perform in the body, 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 enter the body.
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 leukocytes - white blood cells belonging 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 mouth of newborn babies for the primary breakdown of food, that is, for the breakdown of mother's milk.
Pancreatic lipase
Herblood levels are much higher than those of other types of lipase. However, during pancreatectomy (removal of the pancreas), a small percentage of lipase will still remain due to its release 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 - it breaks down fats. Pancreatic lipase plays a particularly important role. It is for its definition that they donate blood, since changes in this indicator can help in the diagnosis of many diseases. Which ones, we will consider below.
Pancreatic lipase - what is it? It is an enzyme produced by the pancreas that "breaks down" triglycerides into glycerol and higher fatty acids. It often breaks down mushrooms already emulsified with bile.
Functions of lipase 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 regulating plasma lipid levels. It promotes the absorption of chylomicrons and low-density lipoproteins.
- Gastric lipase is responsible for stimulating the breakdown of oil tributyrin.
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Lingual lipase.
Lipase test
Analysis for lipase is carried out in two cases:
- To detect pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment of pancreatitis.
A blood test for lipase is considered more informative for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis than the determination of amylase in the blood. However, in the later 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 in acute or chronic kidney disease, although the increase in amylase in this case is more pronounced. So, we looked at an enzyme called "lipase" - what it is and what functions it performs in the body. Let's dwell on the blood test for lipase.
How to prepare for analysis?
Blood is given strictly on an empty stomach, you can only drink water before taking the test. After the last meal, at least 8-12 hours should pass. It is better to do this before you start taking medications or 1-2 weeks after you stop taking them. If this is not possible, you should be informed about which drugs are being used before donating blood.
The day before blood sampling, you should go on a light diet - exclude fatty, fried, spicy foods, alcohol, and avoid heavy physical exertion. It is recommended to donate blood before other examinations - fluorography, radiography - or physiotherapy procedures.
Norm blood lipase levels
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, personsover 18 years old - from 0 to 190 units. In children (under 17 years of age), a lipase content of 0 to 130 units is considered acceptable.
What does an increase in blood lipase indicate?
What does an increase in the level of an enzyme called lipase indicate? The norm of its content indicates that everything is in order with the pancreas, but if the indicators are elevated, this may indicate the following diseases:
- Acute pancreatitis or exacerbation of a chronic disease.
- Biliary colic.
- Chronic pathologies of the gallbladder.
- Injuries to the pancreas.
- Presence of tumors in the pancreas.
- Obstruction of the pancreatic ducts (stone or scar).
- Intrahepatic cholestasis (and reduced bile flow to the duodenum).
- Acute intestinal obstruction.
- Intestinal infarction.
- Peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum).
- Perforated stomach ulcer.
- Perforation of a hollow organ.
- Hepatic pathology, acute or chronic.
- Mumps ("mumps"), giving a complication to the pancreas.
- Metabolic disorders, which is usually observed in gout, diabetes, obesity.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
And sometimes lipase is also increased with organ transplantation and long-term medication, such as barbiturates, narcotic analgesics, indomethacin, heparin.
Lipasepancreatic increases with injuries of tubular bones. However, since the lipase test cannot provide the necessary information about physical damage, this indicator is not taken into account in fractures.
But with damage to the pancreas, the analysis for lipase and amylase is very important. Their simultaneous increase with a high level of accuracy indicates a pathological process occurring 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 low, this indicates problems such as:
- Development of any cancer except pancreatic cancer.
- Excess triglycerides, which occurs with improper diet, in particular excessive consumption of fat.
- The 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 case of a decrease in the production of enzymes (enzymatic deficiency), pancreatitis and other diseases of the pancreas, doctors prescribe drugs containing animal enzymes - they are in the shell, therefore they are protected even from the increased acidity of gastric juice. Reaching the duodenum, they are activated in it. Often, enzymes are prescribed in short courses, but there are cases when they have to be taken for a long time. long-term intake of enzymesmay be accompanied by some decrease in pancreatic function, however, after the drug is discontinued, the work of the organ is restored. Of the pancreatic enzymes, "Creon", "Festal", "Mezim", "Pancreazim", "Panzinorm" and other drugs are usually prescribed, the main active ingredient of which is pancreatin. It contains protease, lipase, amylase. The level of lipase in one tablet is higher than the level of other enzymes. This is due to the fact that lipase, in comparison with other enzymes, is produced by the body in the smallest amount during illness. Given that lipase is lowered in the body, its content in preparations is at least 10,000 action units (U).
Enzyme preparations are in most cases safe for the body. They often play the role of concomitant therapy with antibiotic treatment, along with pre- and probiotics, as well as vitamins and other agents.
