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What is Pancreatic Elastase?

Helga George
Helga George

Pancreatic elastase is a protein that is produced almost solely by the pancreas. It is secreted into the duodenum to help degrade food remains. A lack of this protein can cause a number of physiological problems. An assay for pancreatic elastase-1 is used clinically with stool samples to diagnose problems with the ability of the pancreas to secrete digestive enzymes.

Elastases are members of a family of proteases and degrade other proteins, enhancing the digestive process. They can break down elastin, a type of connective tissue that holds organs together. In addition, they break down a number of other proteins. An elastase is an endoprotease, meaning that it cleaves within the protein being degraded. These enzymes are also serine proteases, a specific type of protease that has the amino acid serine at its active site.

Pancreatic elastase is a protein produced by the pancreas to help break down food remains.
Pancreatic elastase is a protein produced by the pancreas to help break down food remains.

An enzyme that was originally called pancreatic elastase turned out to be a different type of elastase that was not specific to the pancreas. The term is still retained clinically, but pancreatic elastase-1 technically refers to member 3B of the chymotrypsin-like elastase family. This enzyme is often referred to as fecal elastase-1 in the clinical literature.

Elastases are members of a family of serine proteases.
Elastases are members of a family of serine proteases.

The pancreas has dual functions in mammalian physiology. It is important for digestion and secretes enzymes into the digestive milieu of the lower intestine. Hormones responsible for glucose uptake are also secreted. Malfunction of the pancreas can result in malnutrition, because food is not properly broken down and the nutrients are lost. This is a particular problem with fat-soluble vitamins, such as Vitamin D.

The pancreas gland produces pancreatic elastase, a protein that aids in digestion.
The pancreas gland produces pancreatic elastase, a protein that aids in digestion.

A pancreas that is not performing properly can cause a number of symptoms, including reflux symptoms in the esophagus, loose and watery stools, a low level of hydrochloric acid, and bloating. People who are older, have diabetes, or have had their gall bladders removed are at some risk of experiencing pancreatic digestion enzyme secretion issues. There are complex gastroenterology tests that can be performed to test for pancreatic enzyme secretion. The pancreatic elastase test is a simpler alternative that can be performed by testing stool that has stood at room temperature for up to five days.

Reflux symptoms in the esophagus can be a sign that the pancreas is not performing properly.
Reflux symptoms in the esophagus can be a sign that the pancreas is not performing properly.

The concentration of this enzyme in the stool is much greater than that in the duodenal juice, indicating that the enzyme is surviving the harsh conditions of digestion and elimination from the body. Levels of this form of elastase correlate extremely well with the more sophisticated gold standard measurements. The test is also not affected by elastase supplements that may have been taken by the patient, since these supplements utilize pork pancreatic elastase, which does not react with the test designed for the human enzyme.

Discussion Comments

anon303636

My stool was tested and my elastase was very low -- only 68ug/ml. Why? (A healthy person has 500). Should I be tested for pancreatic cancer?

anon167996

I have a question regarding fecal pancreatic elastase. A doctor recently tested my son's stool, and found his fecal pancreatic elastase to be very elevated. She was unsure exactly what this means, and is researching it. Doing my own research, I came across this article and was wondering if you had any information for me.

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    • Pancreatic elastase is a protein produced by the pancreas to help break down food remains.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Pancreatic elastase is a protein produced by the pancreas to help break down food remains.
    • Elastases are members of a family of serine proteases.
      By: logos2012
      Elastases are members of a family of serine proteases.
    • The pancreas gland produces pancreatic elastase, a protein that aids in digestion.
      By: pixdesign123
      The pancreas gland produces pancreatic elastase, a protein that aids in digestion.
    • Reflux symptoms in the esophagus can be a sign that the pancreas is not performing properly.
      By: bilderzwerg
      Reflux symptoms in the esophagus can be a sign that the pancreas is not performing properly.
    • A pancreas that is not performing correctly may cause bloating and watery stools.
      By: inesbazdar
      A pancreas that is not performing correctly may cause bloating and watery stools.
    • Problems with the pancreas may be detected via ultrasound.
      By: acherst
      Problems with the pancreas may be detected via ultrasound.