Carbohydrate digestive enzyme

Carbohydrate digestive enzymes are a group of enzymes responsible for catalyzing the breakdown of complex carbohydrates (such as starches, polysaccharides, and disaccharides) into simple sugars (monosaccharides) that can be absorbed in the small intestine[1][3][5][7][8]. The primary enzymes include amylase (produced in salivary glands and pancreas), and a series of disaccharidases such as maltase, sucrase, and lactase (produced by the brush border of the small intestine)[7][8][9]. Amylase initiates the hydrolysis of starch into maltose in the mouth and continues in the small intestine, where pancreatic amylase completes this process[1][3][7]. Disaccharidases further digest maltose, sucrose, and lactose into monosaccharides[7][8]. Deficiency or inhibition of these enzymes leads to carbohydrate malabsorption, impacting glucose homeostasis and sometimes causing digestive symptoms[5][8][9]. Pharmacologically, inhibitors of these enzymes (e.g., acarbose, miglitol) are used to delay carbohydrate absorption in the management of type 2 diabetes, while enzyme replacement is used for pancreatic insufficiency[5].

Other names

amylaseglucosidasemaltasesucraselactasedisaccharidase

Enzyme inhibition (inhibitors slow carbohydrate digestion/absorption), Enzyme replacement (e.g., in exocrine pancreatic insufficiency)