Determination of plasma trypsin-like activity in healthy subjects, patients with mild to moderate alcoholic chronic pancreatitis, and patients with nonjaundice pancreatic cancer.
Trypsin-like activity is released after stimulation of the exocrine pancreas. We investigated under basal conditions and after stimulation by a meal whether patients suffering from pancreatic disorders differ with respect to plasma trypsin-like activity (PTLA). In 45 subjects (healthy volunteers: n = 18, mild/moderate alcoholic chronic pancreatitis: n = 16, nonjaundice pancreatic cancer n = 7, and calcifying chronic pancreatitis: n = 4), basal and postprandial levels of PTLA were measured over a period of 2 hours. Basal plasma levels were similar in the first 3 groups. After stimulation, healthy volunteers and patients with pancreatic cancer showed significant decreases in trypsin-like activity; however, plasma levels did not decrease in patients with mild/moderate chronic pancreatitis (P < .001). Healthy individuals demonstrate a consistent decrease in postprandial trypsin-like plasma activity. This response is not altered in patients with pancreatic cancer, and it is not seen in patients with mild/moderate alcoholic chronic pancreatitis.
Hernández
Carlos A
CA
Servicio de Cirugía No 1, Hospital Nacional de Clínicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, República Argentina. hernan@onenet.com.ar
Nicolás
Juan C
JC
Fernández
Joaquín
J
Pizarro
Pedro
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019512:Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014357:Trypsin / Q000097:blood*
D014357:Trypsin