: an enzyme especially of pancreatic juice that digests elastin
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebInadequate amounts of elastase and other pancreatic enzymes allow fats and proteins to pass through the small intestine intact and unabsorbed.New York Times, 14 Apr. 2022 More than 10 years ago, such disease links prompted some companies to begin to develop compounds that inhibit neutrophil elastase. Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, 5 Mar. 2020 Researchers suspect these vagrant neutrophils release neutrophil elastase and other molecules at the wrong spots, including the lungs, causing the tissue damage seen in COPD. Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, 5 Mar. 2020 Hibiscus inhibits the production of elastase, which breaks down elastin—a critical protein to keeping your skin bouncy and fresh. Braelyn Wood, Health.com, 12 Nov. 2019
Word History
Etymology
elastin + -ase
First Known Use
1949, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
elastase
noun
elas·tase i-ˈlas-ˌtās, -ˌtāz
: an enzyme especially of pancreatic juice that digests elastin