Clinical Significance

Lipases are glycoproteins with a molecular weight of 47,000 daltons. They are defined as triglyceride hydrolases which catalyze the cleavage of triglycerides to diglycerides with subsequent formation of monoglycerides and fatty acids. In addition to α‑amylase, pancreatic lipases have for many years been undeniably the most important clinical chemistry parameters for the differential diagnosis of diseases of the pancreas. The lipase activity determination has gained increasing international recognition because of its high specificity and rapid response. After acute pancreatitis the lipase activity increases within 4‑8 hours, reaches a peak after 24 hours and decreases after 8 to 14 days. However, there is no correlation between the lipase activity determined in serum and the extent of damage to the pancreas. 

_{Source: Roche Cobas LIPC Method Sheet Version 4.0 2024-09}