Fluorometric assay for pancreatic lipase.

We report a new fluorometric assay in which a fluorescent triglyceride is used for determining lipase activity in serum, and we compare it with turbidimetric and radiometric methods. Because this fluorometric method is at least 50-fold more sensitive than the turbidimetric method, we have been able to develop a micromethod that requires only very small amounts of substrate reagent and serum. The use of fluorescent-labeled fatty acids allows direct determination of the product of lipase action and obviates the use of a standard for calibrating the method. Results of the fluorometric method are well correlated with those of the radiometric and turbidimetric methods, and the precision of the fluorometric assay is better than that of the turbidimetric method. Reference values for normal subjects are between 0 and 120 mU/L.