How can lipase be substituted?
Pancreatic lipase substitution is usually necessary in cases of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This means that the cells that form the digestive secretion can produce a maximum of 10% of the original amount. This insufficiency usually occurs as a result of chronic alcohol abuse.
The enzyme is supplied to the body through the intake of film-coated tablets. The tablets contain the active ingredient pancreatin. The active ingredient comes from the pancreas of pigs.
In order for the tablets to develop their effect in the small intestine, they must be specially protected for the stomach passage. They contain a protective layer that counteracts the breakdown of the active ingredient by the gastric juice. The active ingredient is only released in the small intestine. The amount to be supplied to the body depends on the degree of insufficiency of the pancreas, the fat content of the food and the body weight. The tablets should also be taken directly before or during a meal.
How does the lipase work together with the amylase?
Lipase and amylase are both digestive enzymes produced in the pancreas. When required, they are both released into the duodenum via an excretory duct system. While the pancreatic lipase is responsible for the digestion of special dietary fats, the (pancreatic) amylase is responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates.
It breaks down long-chain carbohydrates into short-chain carbohydrates or individual sugar molecules. The two digestive enzymes work together in the small intestine in such a way that they complement each other. Both enzymes on their own can react very well with their respective substrates. However, their function is very substrate specific, which is why the lipase cannot split carbohydrates and the amylase cannot split fats. If an enzyme is deficient, the digestion of either carbohydrates or fats would not proceed properly and the person concerned would have a very limited digestion.
What is the tongue base lipase?
The term tongue base lipase describes an enzyme that, like all lipases, can break down special dietary fats (TAGs) into their constituent parts.However, in contrast to pancreatic lipase, tongue base lipase is not formed in the pancreas. The enzyme is formed in the oral cavity and means that this is where the first step in the digestion of fats takes place. In infants, a high level of tongue base lipase can be detected in saliva. In contrast, little or no tongue base lipase can be detected in adult humans.
