What is Pancreatic Lipase?
Pancreatic lipase is a water-soluble enzyme secreted by the pancreas. Like other lipases, its function is to break down lipids (fats) in the intestinal tract. However, unlike other pancreatic enzymes, such as trypsinogen and chymotrypsin, pancreatic lipase is secreted in pancreatic “juice” as an active enzyme and doesn’t need to undergo conversion to digest lipids. In addition, this enzyme possesses the ability to break down dietary fats via hydrolysis by breaking hydrogen bonds. One of the primary tasks of pancreatic lipase is to break down triglycerides. This is critical since these particular lipids cannot be absorbed through the intestinal lining without first undergoing hydrolysis. The mechanism of pancreatic lipase is to act as a catalyst to promote the conversion of triglycerides into 2-monoglyceride and fatty acids. However, successful hydrolysis of triglycerides is dependent on the adequate availability of bile salts provided by the liver. Excessive production of pancreatic li
Pancreatic lipase is a water-soluble enzyme secreted by the pancreas. Like other lipases, its function is to break down lipids (fats) in the intestinal tract. However, unlike other pancreatic enzymes, such as trypsinogen and chymotrypsin, pancreatic lipase is secreted in pancreatic “juice” as an active enzyme and doesn’t need to undergo conversion to digest lipids. In addition, this enzyme possesses the ability to break down dietary fats via hydrolysis by breaking hydrogen bonds. One of the primary tasks of pancreatic lipase is to break down triglycerides. This is critical since these particular lipids cannot be absorbed through the intestinal lining without first undergoing hydrolysis. The mechanism of pancreatic lipase is to act as a catalyst to promote the conversion of triglycerides into 2-monoglyceride and fatty acids. However, successful hydrolysis of triglycerides is dependent on the adequate availability of bile salts provided by the liver.
