[Significance of pancreatic polypeptide in gastrointestinal diseases]

Release of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) into blood by pancreatic PP cells is closely correlated with pancreatic exocrine secretion and is thus stimulated by food intake. PP causes inhibition of exocrine pancreatic secretion and bile acid output. In insufficiently treated diabetics elevated basal and postprandial serum levels of PP are found, which return to normal when adequate treatment is administered. In patients with autonomous diabetic neuropathy insulin induced hypoglycemia leads to subnormal increases of serum PP levels. Low PP secretion is found in chronic pancreatitis only when pronounced pancreatic insufficiency is observed. In patients with duodenal ulcus significantly elevated but also normal serum PP concentrations were found. Endocrine active pancreatic tumors may cause highly increased PP levels together with other hormones and elevated serum PP levels may be used as a diagnostic indication in such rare cases. However the determination of PP serum levels is not suited as a routine diagnostic method.