Abstract
Three lipases are involved in the digestion of milk triglycerides in breast-fed infants. Neither colipase-dependent lipase secreted from the pancreas, nor bile salt-stimulated lipase provided by the milk could by themselves, even in the presence of their respective cofactors, initiate triglyceride digestion. This was a unique functional property of pregastric (lingual) lipase, the lipase operating in the stomach. A major quantitative function of this lipase is, however, unlikely since it was inhibited by a fatty acid concentration corresponding to hydrolysis of only a few percent of the triglycerides. Interestingly, this low degree of hydrolysis had dramatic effects. The remaining globule triglycerides were easily hydrolyzed by the two other lipases. This qualitative function of pregastric lipase was mediated by the fatty acids released; addition of free fatty acid to a corresponding concentration was as effective. Marked differencies between various fatty acids were observed regarding both inhibition of pancreatic lipase and initiation of hydrolysis by pancreatic lipase. Interestingly, in both respects long-chain unsaturated fatty acids were most effective. The reason why intact milk fat globule triglycerides were resistant to hydrolysis by pancreatic lipase was an inability of the lipase, even in the presence of its cofactor colipase, to bind to the globule surface. The effects of fatty acids was to mediate this binding. We conclude that generation of a low amount of fatty acid already in the stomach is the physiological role of pregastric lipase.
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Bläckberg, L., Bernbäck, S. & Hernell, O. 22 PHYSIOLOGICAL ROLE OF PREGASTRIC LIPASE. Pediatr Res 24, 408 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198809000-00045
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198809000-00045