‘Lipase’ in Gland Duct Epithelium and in Mucus-secreting Cells

Abstract

THE presence of ‘lipase’ in the acini of the pancreas and in the cells of the liver is well known, and these two tissues have provided the main material for chemical and histochemical studies of this enzyme. Less attention has been paid to the distribution of this enzyme in other parts of the alimentary tract, though Gomori¹ has described a number of observations. A systematic investigation of this tract, undertaken by means of Gomori's ‘Tween’ technique² (employing ‘Tween 40’) with some modification³, has brought out some facts of interest which warrant a brief recording. It is realized that although the term ‘lipase’ is used here, the histochemical reaction given by the ‘Tween’ technique probably demonstrates an esterase in most sitesrather than true lipase⁴.