Clinical Information

Lipases are enzymes that hydrolyze glycerol esters of long-chain fatty acids. Pancreatic lipase is a glycoprotein that is synthesized and stored in the pancreas. Other lipases, including lipoprotein lipase, may be included in the measurement of lipase activity, but pancreatic lipase is the predominant form in blood. Pancreatic lipase is released upon pancreatic cell death and is an important marker in the diagnosis and the therapeutic monitoring of pancreatic diseases. Pancreatic lipase is used in the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic pancreatitis, as well as pancreatic duct obstruction.

Serum lipase is known to be a better first-line test than serum amylase in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis due to its sensitivity and specificity, as well as its longer half-life than amylase. Abdominal pain is often difficult to diagnose by physicians. One of the differential diagnoses of abdominal pain is acute pancreatitis. Serum pancreatic lipase determination, along with clinical presentation and imaging, can aid in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease.

Heparin administration can result in elevated lipoprotein lipase activity, which is detected by the Lipase assay.