Role of lipase in the regulation of postprandial gastric acid secretion and emptying of fat in humans: a study with orlistat, a highly specific lipase inhibitor

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS To investigate the importance of lipase on gastric functions, we studied the effects of orlistat, a potent and specific inhibitor of lipase, on postprandial gastric acidity and gastric emptying of fat. METHODS Fourteen healthy volunteers participated in a double blind, placebo controlled, randomised study. In a two way cross over study with two test periods of five days, separated by at least 14 days, orlistat 120 mg three times daily or placebo was given with standardised daily meals. In previous experiments we found that this dose almost completely inhibited postprandial duodenal lipase activity. Subjects underwent 28 hour intragastric pH-metry on day 4, and a gastric emptying study with a mixed meal (800 kcal) labelled with 999mTc sulphur colloid (solids) and 111Inthiocyanate (fat) on day 5. Gastric pH data were analysed for three postprandial hours and the interdigestive periods. RESULTS Orlistat inhibited almost completely (by 75%) lipase activity and accelerated gastric emptying of both the solid (by 52%) and fat (by 44%) phases of the mixed meal (pCONCLUSION Lipase has an important role in the regulation of postprandial gastric acid secretion and fat emptying in humans. These effects might be explained by lipolysis induced release of cholecystokinin.

This publication has 30 references indexed in Scilit: