Summary
Post-heparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity was measured in 28 cancer patients
with varying degrees of weight loss, and in 16 normal volunteers. Total lipoprotein
lipase activity was decreased by 35.4% (P < 0.001) in the cancer group. The component
lipase activities, hepatic (HLPL ), and peripheral (PLPL ) were decreased by 40% (P < 0.001) and 38% (P < 0.005) respectively. In addition,
the level of total peripheral lipoprotein lipase correlated well with the percent
body weight lost by these patients (r = 0.6, P < 0.01). Regardless of extent of disease,
patients with lung cancer showed the lowest enzyme activity (mean 191 mU/ml ± 30 SEM,
P < 0.001) and the greatest percent of weight loss (mean 16%), while patients with
breast cancer had nearly normal lipase activity (mean 315 mU/ml ± 50 SEM, normal 340
mU/ml ± 22 SEM, P < 0.10) and minimal weight loss (mean 8.4%).
Fasting serum triglycerides were significantly elevated in the patient group (mean
120 mg/dl ± 9.7 SEM) as compared to normal (mean 71 mg/dl ± 7 SEM, P < 0.001). The
mean fasting insulin level was elevated in the patient group (13 mU/ml ± 3.0 SEM),
although in the majority of the patients it was found within the normal range (4-24
mU/ml).
We conclude that the significant decrease in the total LPL activity may be responsible
in part for the characteristic hypertriglyceridemia present in cancer patients.
Key-Words
Lipoprotein Lipase
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Cachexia
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Cancer
