Post-heparin plasma lipase activity in hypopituitary adults

Twenty-six hypopituitary patients on conventional replacement therapy were compared with 31 matched normal controls. Plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activities were measured 15 min after a bolus of intravenous heparin (100 IU/kg body weight). Fasting plasma lipids, lipoproteins, glucose and insulin and triceps to subscapular skin fold ratio and waist to hip circumference ratio were also measured. Total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Plasma activity of both LPL and HL was significantly higher in hypopituitary patients than in controls (p < 0.005 and p < 0.04 respectively). When men and women were analysed separately, significant differences between HP patients and controls remained for total cholesterol and LPL in women and for HL in men.