Properties of different pancreatin preparations used in pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic enzyme preparations are a life-saving substitution for a pivotal physiological function of the entire organism that is impaired in chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis and other diseases with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Pancreatic enzyme preparations, generically called pancreatin, are not alike. Rather, they present a broad variety of pancreatin composition.


OBJECTIVE
The properties of a set of commercially available pancreatin preparations were investigated in light of the physiological tasks such enzymes must fulfill during the normal digestive process.


METHODS
Measurements of size, surface, acid resistance, release of enzymes, pharmacokinetics and batch consistency were undertaken.


RESULTS
Although all pancreatin preparations contain the declared lipase units and are acid-stable, a wide variation was observed in the particle size (pyloric passage), specific surface area and release kinetics of lipase activity at pH 6 (duodenum).


CONCLUSIONS
At present, available pancreatin preparations vary widely with respect to investigated parameters, which may have consequences for facilitating optimal digestion.
Gastrocentrum, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Karolinska Institute University Hospital, Huddinge, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden. matthias.lohr@ki.se
Johannes-Matthias
JM
Löhr
Frank M
FM
Hummel
Konstantinos T
KT
Pirilis
Gregor
G
Steinkamp
Andreas
A
Körner
Friederike
F
Henniges
D000681:Amylases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects*; D010188:Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008863:Microspheres; D010194:Pancreatin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010316:Particle Size
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D010194:Pancreatin; D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases