[Biochemical profile of the pancreatic function: pancreolauril and oral glucose tolerance tests].
BACKGROUND
The pancreas is a mixed gland that takes part in the digestion of nutrients and in the homeostasis ofglycemia. Chronic pancreopathy is the cause of secretory insufficiency, characterized by an inflammatory process that leads to fibrosis of the pancreas, with a progressive loss of both exocrine and endocrine functions of the gland.


OBJECTIVE
To study both the exocrine and endocrine pancreatic relationship in patients with pancreatopathies and other non-pancreatic digestive alterations, by means of serum pancreolauril (sPL) and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT). Glycemia and insulin, basal and at 30, 60 and 120 minutes; amylase and lipase; and the HOMA index (homeostatic model) were determined in serum.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients were evaluated: normal OGTT (n=11, control group) and pathologic OGTT (n=21). From the latter group, a subgroup (n=11) with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (CP) was studied.


RESULTS
Patients with pathologic OGTT in relation with normal OGTT presented a significant increase of glycemia at the four periods of time and of insulin at 120 minutes (P < 0.05), and a significant decrease of sPL (P < 0.05). In patients with CP, men were more than women, and all of them presented a pathologic OGTT and the sPL was significantly lower (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
By the biochemical tests used, pancreas functionality corresponds with a close relationship between exocrine and endocrine pancreas. Thus, we suggest the use of the sPL test as a helpful tool for the diagnosis of CP.
Beatriz Di Carlo
Maria
M
Dpto Bioquímica Clinica, Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica (INFIBIOC), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires. dicarlo@ffyb.uba.ar
López Mingorance
Fabiana N
FN
del Carmen Maselli
M
M
Hamamura
Susana
S
Otero
Graciela
G
Tiscornia
Osvaldo M
OM
Negri
Gustavo A
GA
D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D046790:Pancreas, Exocrine / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010186:Pancreatic Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
D005452:Fluoresceins; C034833:fluorescein dilaurate; D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases; D005947:Glucose