The calcium concentration in human pure pancreatic juice in chronic pancreatitis

Calcium concentration in human pure pancreatic juice was determined during wash-out period, secretin stimulation and pancreozymin stimulation. Specimens were collected by endoscopic retrograde catheterization of the papilla at one minute intervals for 20 minutes after intravenous injection of secretin (Eisai, 1 U/kg) and for 10 minutes after pancreozymin injection (Boots, 1 U/kg). The determination was also made in duodenal juice obtained during the ordinary pancreozymin-secretin test. Calcium concentration in duodenal juice was significantly raised in patients with chronic pancreatitis (suspected, definite or calcifying), confirming the results of previous investigators. Calcium concentration and calcium per mg of protein in human pure pancreatic juice were significantly raised in patients with chronic pancreatitis (suspected, definite or calcifying). Calcium per mg of protein in normal human pure pancreatic juice was quite similar to that reported in zymogen granules of the guinea-pig pancreas. Calcium output in human pure pancreatic juice was also significantly raised in patients with suspected chronic pancreatitis; it was within normal limits in patients with definite or calcifying chronic pancreatitis due to decreased volume output. Significance of these findings were discussed in relation to pathogenesis and early detection of chronic pancreatitis.