Which two upper GI enzymes contribute to fat digestion, albeit limited, in healthy adults?

Which two upper GI enzymes contribute to fat digestion, albeit limited, in healthy adults?

• A. Pancreatic lipase and colipase
• B. Lingual lipase in mouth and gastric lipase in stomach
• C. Lingual lipase and pancreatic lipase
• D. Amylase and protease

Answer: (C)

Fat digestion in the upper GI tract relies on lipases. Lingual lipase is produced by glands in the tongue and starts triglyceride breakdown in the mouth; it remains active in the acidic environment of the stomach, contributing a small amount of fat digestion there. In the small intestine, pancreatic lipase is the main enzyme that digests fats, working with colipase to help the enzyme function in the presence of bile salts and emulsified fat. Together, these two enzymes account for the fat-digesting activity observed in the upper GI tract, even though the overall fat digestion is relatively limited compared with what occurs in the intestine. Pancreatic lipase with colipase is not two enzymes (colipase is a cofactor, not an enzyme), gastric lipase’s contribution is smaller and not as prominent as pancreatic lipase, and amylase or protease digest carbohydrates or proteins rather than fats.

Fat digestion in the upper GI tract relies on lipases. Lingual lipase is produced by glands in the tongue and starts triglyceride breakdown in the mouth; it remains active in the acidic environment of the stomach, contributing a small amount of fat digestion there. In the small intestine, pancreatic lipase is the main enzyme that digests fats, working with colipase to help the enzyme function in the presence of bile salts and emulsified fat. Together, these two enzymes account for the fat-digesting activity observed in the upper GI tract, even though the overall fat digestion is relatively limited compared with what occurs in the intestine.

Pancreatic lipase with colipase is not two enzymes (colipase is a cofactor, not an enzyme), gastric lipase’s contribution is smaller and not as prominent as pancreatic lipase, and amylase or protease digest carbohydrates or proteins rather than fats.