Abstract
Digestion of dietary fat in the adult is intitiated in the stomach by a lipase similar to that present in lingual serous glands (Hamosh et al. J. Clin. Invest. 55: 908, 1975; Lab. Invest. 37, 1977). Recently, we have reported similar activity in gastric aspirates of premature infants (Hamosh et al. Physiologist 20: 40, 1977). In order to determine the origin of the lipase, we have tested esophageal and gastric aspirates obtained from four infants with congenital esophageal atresia. Lipolytic activity (tested with doubly labeled 3H-glyceryl-14C-tripalmitin) was present in both esophageal (14.24 ± 10.6 n mol/ml/hr) and gastric (6.97 ± 2.31 n mol/ml/hr) aspirates; the reaction products were partial glycerides, glycerol and free fatty acids; pH optimum was 5.4. The data support previous observations that lipolytic activity in the stomach is due to enzymes secreted from the oro-pharynx (tongue). However, lipolytic activity in the stomach of these children strongly suggests the presence of a gastric lipase. (Supported by Grant NIH HD10823).
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Hamosh, M., Salzman-Mann, C., Sivasubramanian, K. et al. 430 FAT DIGESTION IN THE STOMACH OF PREMATURE INFANTS: ORIGIN OF THE LIPOLYTIC ACTIVITY. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 435 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00435
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00435