[Effect of alcohol on the human and animal pancreas (author's transl)]

In Germany alcohol is responsible for 40--60 per cent of cases with chronic or chronic relapsing pancreatitis. The histologic lesions for a long time remain clinically asymptomatic. Their degree depends on the duration and the total amount of alcohol which is ingested. Promoters of alcoholic damage to the pancraes are a high intake of fat and protein and a genetic disposition. Acute application of alcohol leads to an inhibition of pancreatic secretion when the entrance of gastric acid into the duodenum is prevented. Otherwise a weak stimulation occurs with release of secretin. Chronic application of alcohol after a few months abolishes the initially seen inhibition and leads to an increase of enzyme secretion of the gland. The raised concentration of protein in the pancreatic juice is the cause of precipitation of protein plugs, and thus probably leads to the alterations which are typical for chronic pancreatitis.