Pancreatic Phospholipase A Activity in Duodenal Aspirates

Pancreatic phospholipase A concentration in duodenum of man has been studied in controls and in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic stimulation was achieved by means of a liquid standard meal. Duodenal contents were aspirated in two 40-minute periods. Care was taken to perform the X-ray checking of the tube position on the previous day. The aspirate was tested for pH, amylase, and phospholipase A. The individual maximal phospholipase A concentration was found to have a lower normal limit of approximately 120 milli-enzyme units per ml aspirate. No significant difference in phospholipase A activity in the two collection periods was observed. In seven patients with verified chronic pancreatitis with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, significantly lower values of phospholipase A activity were found, the highest individual maximal concentration being 41 milli-enzyme units per ml.