[Reduction of insulin reserves and exocrine pancreatic secretion in chronic pancreatitis]

In 11 persons with normal pancreas function and 21 patients with chronic pancreatitis serum levels of insulin and C-peptide were measured under basal conditions and after maximal stimulation with glucose-tolbutamide-glucagon. Patients with the highest excretory deficiency in the secretin-pancreozymin test had the most marked impairment in endocrine function. In patients with manifest diabetes the exocrine capacity was reduced to an average of 10% of normal. The endocrine parameters correlated linearly with the exocrine ones, most markedly C-peptide reserve with pancreatic enzyme secretion.