[Value of determining the activity of cholesterol esterase in the duodenal contents]

Cholesterol esterase, a pancreatic enzyme, activity has been measured in the duodenal contents of patients with chronic pancreatitis by fluorometry with the use of o-coumaric acid, a cholesteryl ether substrate, manufactured in this country. The measurements have revealed a significant difference in the values of the enzyme secretion debit after pancreozymin-secretin stimulation of the pancreas in chronic pancreatitis patients and in the controls. Hypo- and hypersecretion of cholesterolesterase have been revealed in the patients. The disease severity had a most marked effect on the hyposecretion degree. These data evidence a high value of cholesterolesterase measurements for the assessment of the pancreatic exosecretion: such tests may help detect the early stages of exosecretory disturbances, assess the disease severity and progress.