Related Experiment Videos
Exocrine pancreatic function in hepatic cirrhosis
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|March 1, 1976
Summary
Cirrhosis of the liver increases pancreatic fluid secretion. Splenorenal shunts further elevate pancreatic trypsin output in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Pancreatology
Background:
- Nonalcoholic postnecrotic cirrhosis can affect exocrine pancreatic function.
- Understanding pancreatic function in cirrhosis is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess exocrine pancreatic function in patients with liver cirrhosis.
- To evaluate the impact of splenorenal shunts on pancreatic function in these patients.
Main Methods:
- Standard test meal method (Lundh test) was used.
- Secretin-pancreozymin stimulation test was performed in a subset of patients.
- Exocrine pancreatic function was assessed before and after splenorenal shunt surgery.
Main Results:
- Unoperated cirrhotic patients showed increased pancreatic volume but normal trypsin output.
- After splenorenal shunts, cirrhotic patients exhibited increased pancreatic volume and trypsin output via test meal.
- No significant changes in pancreatic function were observed with secretin-pancreozymin stimulation post-shunting.
Conclusions:
- Liver cirrhosis leads to hypersecretion of pancreatic exocrine secretions.
- Splenorenal shunts may exacerbate pancreatic hypersecretion in cirrhotic patients.
- Hepatic degradation bypass of intestinal secretogogues likely contributes to pancreatic hypersecretion.