The effect of pancreatectomy in lipoprotein lipase activity: an experimental study in pancreatectomized rats

To investigate the etiology of hyperlipemia induced by total pancreatectomy in rats, the authors determined lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and performed the intravenous fat loading test (IVFLT). LPL activity was remarkably reduced after total pancreatectomy, but recovered almost completely with administration of 4 i.u./Kg of insulin. The results of IVFLT showed positive correlation with LPL activity changes. The elimination rate K of IVFLT also recovered with the administration of insulin. On the other hand, in our previous reports no evidence of increase in lipid synthesis in the liver of depancreatectomized rats was found. From these results, the authors tentatively concluded that the main cause of pancreatectomy-induced hyperlipemia was a delay in the removal of lipids from the blood, due to decreased LPL activity caused by a lack of insulin.