Pancreatic exocrine secretion--a measure of the functional capacity of the pancreatic energy metabolism.

In studies on the pathogenesis of ischemic cell injury and of other pancreatic diseases the knowledge of the actual pancreatic energy state is an important factor. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a simple and inexpensive method to determine this parameter and its alterations in the pancreas. At uniform hormonal stimulation, the extent of exocrine pancreatic secretion showed a clear dependence on energy supply in this organ. The degree of pancreatic juice edema formed after bolus injection of cholecystokinin and secretin at ductal occlusion was found to be the most sensitive and reproducible measure of the functional capacity of the pancreatic energy metabolism. While this parameter can be applied to experimental studies, only, the juice volume secreted could be determined under clinical conditions, too. Both parameters of pancreatic secretion were clearly decreased after preceding short-term ischemia and recovered after an adequate interval of reperfusion.