What is the function of elastase?
What is the function of elastase?
Elastase is an enzyme made by special tissue in the pancreas, an organ in your upper abdomen. Elastase helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates after you eat. It’s a key part of your digestive process.
What is normal range for pancreatic elastase?
Pancreatic elastase concentrations above 200 mcg/g are normal and are not indicative of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic elastase concentrations from 100-200 mcg/g are suggestive for moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
What causes low pancreatic elastase?
Acute pancreatitis. Congenital absence (often associated with absence of left kidney) or malformation (eg, annular pancreas) Genetic causes, for example, cystic fibrosis, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome.
What is the function of pancreatic juice?
During digestion, your pancreas makes pancreatic juices called enzymes. These enzymes break down sugars, fats, and starches. Your pancreas also helps your digestive system by making hormones. These are chemical messengers that travel through your blood.
Where is elastase produced?
the pancreas
Elastase occurs mainly in the pancreas and pancreatic juice of many mammals and birds, as well as in human serum, granulocytes, and erythrocytes, in Flavobact elastolyticum, Clostrid histolyticum, and Staph epidermis.
What type of enzyme is elastase?
serine proteases family
Elastase is an enzyme belonging to the serine proteases family, which comprises hydrolases that break down peptide bonds. It is a glycoprotein, and the polypeptide chain constitutes 218 amino acids.
Is low pancreatic elastase serious?
In individuals with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), the pancreas doesn’t make enough of these enzymes to adequately break down food into absorbable components. This can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies, and the symptoms these deficiencies cause.
What foods should be avoided with pancreatic insufficiency?
Avoidfried, creamy, or cheesy foods, such as pastries. You’ll also want to avoid trans fat, a hydrogenated oil and particularly unhealthy type of fat that’s often found in packaged food, says Massey, and steer clear of alcohol. While it may take some planning, it’s possible to eat a healthy, satisfying diet.
What is pH of pancreatic juice?
The alkaline pH of pancreatic juice (pH 7.5–8.0) serves two important physiological purposes. First, it dissolves and activates the pancreatic digestive enzymes secreted by the acinar cells. Second, it neutralizes HCl being emptied into the duodenum by the stomach.
What causes pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is the redness and swelling (inflammation) of the pancreas. It may be sudden (acute) or ongoing (chronic). The most common causes are alcohol abuse and lumps of solid material (gallstones) in the gallbladder. The goal for treatment is to rest the pancreas and let it heal.