Studies on pancreatic stones. I. In vitro dissolution

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Gastroenterology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Pancreatic stones, a common complication of chronic pancreatitis, pose a significant clinical challenge.
• Understanding the solubility of these stones is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
• Current treatments for pancreatic stones are limited, necessitating research into novel dissolution methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro solubility of pancreatic stones.
• To evaluate the effects of various solvents, including citrate, on pancreatic stone dissolution.
• To assess the potential of citrate as a therapeutic agent for chronic calcified pancreatitis.

Main Methods:

• In vitro experiments utilizing the anaerobic percolation method to assess pancreatic stone solubility.
• Testing the effects of different solvents (NaCl, albumin, bicarbonate, citrate) on stone dissolution.
• Determining the time required for complete dissolution of pancreatic stones using NaCl and citrate solutions.

Main Results:

• An inverse relationship was observed between pancreatic stone size and solubility in 150 mM NaCl.
• Albumin increased solubility concentration-dependently, while bicarbonate decreased it.
• Citrate dramatically increased pancreatic stone solubility, with complete dissolution achieved in 25 days, compared to 60 days with NaCl.

Conclusions:

• Citrate demonstrates significant potential for dissolving pancreatic stones in vitro.
• The concentration of citrate achievable in pancreatic juice during intraduodenal infusion may be sufficient for therapeutic dissolution.
• Citrate treatment warrants further investigation for its clinical utility in managing chronic calcified pancreatitis.