Role of lipase in glucose and lipid metabolisms.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of lipase in glucose and lipid metabolisms.


METHODS
A prospective study involving 52 diabetics (28 males and 24 females, mean age 47.67 +/- 15.63 years) and 118 normoglycemic controls (39 males and 79 females, mean age 38.91 +/- 16.61 years) was conducted, between February 1st and August 31st, 2006, at King Abdullah Hospital, Bisha, Saudi Arabia. After 10-12 hours fasting, blood was taken from subjects and controls for the determination of glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and lipase. The results were analyzed by student's t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient.


RESULTS
The levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, and lipase were significantly more in the diabetics (p<0.05). However, HDL-cholesterol was less in the diabetics than the controls, although the difference was not significant (p>0.05). There were significant positive correlations between glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipase; while, significant negative correlations were obtained between LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and lipase.


CONCLUSIONS
The higher concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol, as well as the lower HDL-cholesterol in the diabetics were typical and not unexpected, as diabetes mellitus is associated with disturbance of lipid metabolism. The lipase activity was elevated at increased concentrations of glucose and lipids. Hence, it was concluded that the pancreatic lipase was possibly involved in the metabolisms of both glucose and lipids. Lipolysis has been suggested as the link between the 2 processes.
Adedeji
Oluwole O
OO
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Services, PO Box 60, Bisha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. adedeji12us@yahoo.com
Oyakhire
George K
GK
Ene
Dan M
DM
Al-Ghamdi
Saeed A
SA
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000502:physiology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008049:Lipase