SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM LIPASE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS

Serum levels of lipase (Lp) during the end of the dialysis showed a si gnificant increase after the administration of heparin in hemodialysis patients. However, serum Lp levels were not increased after the admin istration of the anticoagulant nafamostat mesylate in hemodialysis pat ients. Serum levels of Lp were significantly correlated with serum lev els of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hepatic triglyceride lipase (H-TGL) a nd nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) 20 min after the administration of heparin during maintenance hemodialysis. Lp activity did not appear wi th the NEFA ligand for determining the NEFA activity. Inhibitors of LP L and H-TGL reduced the measured Lp activity in vitro. The main mechan ism of elevated measured serum Lp activity in hemodialysis patients wa s determined to be cross-reactivity with LPL or H-TGL. Furthermore, me asurement of Lp may be a method for determining optimal coagulation ti me in patients with hemodialysis.