[The functional status of the endocrine pancreas in patients with acute intestinal infections]

RIA was used to measure the content of insulin, C-peptide and glucagon in blood plasma of 84 patients with acute dysentery and food toxicoinfections. The studies were carried out in the acute disease period and before the discharge from hospital. The data obtained indicate that despite the appreciable differences in the disease pathogenesis, the pathophysiological mechanisms influencing pancreatic function are similar in many respects. The changes are characterized by an increase in plasma insulin and a reduction in C-peptide and glucagon. The content of hormones in the peripheral blood is dependent on the disease period. In the authors' opinion, despite the high insulin content, the reduced level of C-peptide attests to hypofunction of beta-cells in acute intestinal infection, since it reflects their function more precisely. The reduced content of plasma glucagon points to hypofunction of alpha-cells.