The process of digestion and the absorption of nutrients from food is due to the fact that the enzymes of the pancreas enter the small intestine. Moreover, this body is responsible for metabolic and transformative processes, controls the level of sugar in the blood, releases hormonal compounds involved in the regulation of biochemical mechanisms.
What enzymes are produced by the pancreas?
There are the following varieties of substances:
1. Nuclease - cleaves nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), which are the basis of any incoming food.
2. Proteases:
- elastases - are intended for the cleavage of dense proteins and elastin;
- trypsin and chymotrypsin - are similar to gastric pepsin, are responsible for the digestion of food proteins;
- carboxypeptidase - acts together with the above-mentioned types of protease, but has other mechanisms of cleavage.
3. Amylase - excreted for correction of carbohydrate metabolism, digestion of glycogen and starch.
4. Steapsin - splits fatty compounds.
5. Lipase - affects a special kind of fats (triglycerides), which are pre-treated with bile, produced by the liver in the lumen of the intestine.
Analysis for pancreatic enzymes
To diagnose the diseases of the body in question, 3 laboratory tests are used:
- blood chemistry;
- Analysis of urine;
- analysis of blood serum.
An important role is played by the quantitative determination (activity) of amylase, elastase and lipase.
Symptoms of deficiency and excess of pancreatic enzymes
One of the first clinical manifestations of the first pathology is a change in the consistency of the stool (it becomes liquid), since first of all there is a failure in the production of lipase.
Other symptoms of pancreatic enzyme deficiency:
- decreased physical activity;
- flatulence ;
- decreased appetite and body weight;
- abdominal pain;
- weakness, drowsiness;
- nausea;
- constantly recurrent vomiting.
The second disease is called pancreatitis and is often provoked by excessive production of amylase and lipase. Interestingly, the signs of the disease are similar to the deficiency of enzymes, an additional symptom can be considered a slight increase in body temperature.
How to restore the enzymes of the pancreas?
To normalize the functioning of the body with insufficient production of the substances described, substitution drug therapy is used in combination with a therapeutic diet (sparing).
Enzymes of the pancreas in tablets:
- Pangrol;
- Pancreatin;
- Creon;
- Panzinorm;
- Festal;
- Pancreon;
- Mezim Forte;
- Penzital;
- Pancreoflate;
- Enzistal;
- Pankurmen;
- Digestal;
- Somilase;
- Kotazim Forte;
- Merkenzyme;
- Ipental;
- Pankral;
- Wobenzym;
- The cadastre;
- Phlogenzyme;
- Betaine;
- Oraza;
- Abomin;
- Pepphysis;
- Unienzim;
- Nigedaza.
Also there are many analogs and generics of the listed preparations containing either 1-2 types of chemical compounds, or their combined complex.
With pancreatitis, first of all, a strict diet is prescribed, including fasting for 1-3 days. After this, inhibitors of pancreatic enzymes are used:
- Somatostatin;
- Vasopressin;
- Glucagon;
- Calcitonin;
- Isoprenaline;
- Pantrypine;
- Contrikal ;
- Traskolan;
- Gordoks;
- aminocaproic acid;
- Inhistril;
- Tracerol.
Simultaneously with the taking of tablets, it is important to continue to follow the rules for building a diet - only low-fat food, preferably without meat, mucous porridges and soups. In addition, it is recommended to use a large amount of alkaline mineral water, about 2 liters per day.