Pancreatic and gastric lipases

Digestive lipid-hydrolyzing enzymes, primarily consisting of pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase and gastric lipase, are essential proteins that facilitate the breakdown of dietary fats within the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric lipase initiates lipid digestion in the acidic environment of the stomach, while pancreatic lipase, secreted into the duodenum, provides the majority of lipolytic activity by hydrolyzing triglycerides into absorbable free fatty acids and monoglycerides (1.1.1, 1.3.1). These enzymes serve as critical therapeutic targets in the management of obesity; for instance, the drug orlistat covalently binds to the active serine site of these lipases, inhibiting their activity and reducing the absorption of dietary fat by approximately 30% (1.2.1, 1.2.4). Conversely, in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) resulting from conditions like cystic fibrosis or chronic pancreatitis, these enzymes are administered as replacement therapy to ensure adequate nutrient absorption and prevent malnutrition (1.3.2, 1.3.5). Therapeutic modulation of these enzymes is often associated with gastrointestinal side effects, such as steatorrhea and fecal urgency, and requires monitoring for potential deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins (1.2.2, 1.2.3).

Other names

Digestive lipid-hydrolyzing enzymesDigestive lipasesGastrointestinal lipasesPancreatic triacylglycerol lipaseGastric lipaseCarboxyl ester lipasePancreatic lipase-related protein 2

Inhibition of dietary fat hydrolysis through covalent binding to the active serine site of gastric and pancreatic lipases; or exogenous enzyme replacement to facilitate lipid digestion in cases of insufficiency.