Lipase | Laboratory research

Lipase Is an enzyme that hydrolyzes triglycerides. Lipase is produced by a number of organs and tissues, and is differentiated accordingly - lipase of the stomach, pancreas, lungs, intestinal juice, leukocyte origin, etc.

The most important from a clinical point of view Pancreatic lipaseა, which plays a major role in the digestion of fats. Since the main source of lipase is the pancreas, in its diseases, the enzyme in the blood releases significantly large amounts.

In acute pancreatitis, serum lipase activity increases 4-8 hours after the onset of the disease, reaches a peak after 24 hours, and decreases after 8-14 days. The prognosis of the disease is unfavorable when the concentration of lipase is increased by 10 times or more.

The determination of lipase in pancreatitis has a higher clinical sensitivity (86%) and specificity (99%) than the amylase study. Simultaneous determination of amylase and blood lipase makes it possible to diagnose pancreatic diseases with up to 98% accuracy of cases.

Serum lipase activity is a very sensitive test in the case of acute alcoholic pancreatitis, while patients with obstruction of the bile ducts, duodenum, and pancreatic ducts are characterized by high levels of amylase. Lipase levels remain normal during ectopic pregnancy (if the pancreas is not involved in the process), ectopic pregnancy, lung cancer, and appendicitis. In purulent pancreatitis, an increase in blood lipase activity is not usually detected.

When should we test for lipase?

• Acute and chronic, alcoholic pancreatitis;
• Perforated gastric ulcer, acute cholecystitis, obstruction of the small intestine;
• Diabetic ketoacidosis;
• Cirrhosis of the liver, post-organ transplant conditions

With the following symptoms:

• Fever;
• Fatty stools;
• Nausea with or without vomiting;
• Severe pain in the upper abdomen;
• Frequent heartbeat;
• weight loss;
• Decreased appetite;
• Back pain.

How to prepare for the test?

The test should be performed on an empty stomach.

Research material

Venous blood

Possible interpretation of the results

Lipase concentration increases:

• Acute and chronic pancreatitis, carcinoma, pancreatic cyst or pseudocyst;
• Biliary colic;
• Hollow organ perforation, peritonitis, suffocation or intestinal infarction;
• Bone fractures, soft tissue injuries, postoperative period;
• Breast cancer;
• Uremia and acute renal failure (due to stagnation of the pancreas).

Lipase concentration decreases:

• Oncological diseases (except pancreatic carcinoma);
• Excess triglycerides due to malnutrition or hereditary hyperlipidemia.

Resources

https://spravochnik.synevo.ua/ru/klinicheskaia-himia/lipase.html
https://www.synevo.bg/lipaza/