Abstract
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency has been observed in some diabetics with peripheral neuropathy and diarrhea. Several mechanisms may be responsible for this insufficiency: (1) pancreatic atrophy, (2) disruption of the cholinergic enteropancreatic reflexes, or (3) elevated serum levels of peptides such as glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide which are known to inhibit pancreatic exocrine secretion. To clarify the mechanism(s) involved in this exocrine pancreatic impairment, we studied 10 diabetics with diarrhea and peripheral neuropathy. Their results were compared to those of eight normal volunteers. Each subject underwent a standardized pancreatic function study which assessed nonstimulated secretion, the response to intrajejunal infusion of a mixture of amino acids, and the output following intravenous administration of secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK). In separate studies, the effect of a background infusion of bethanechol and secretin on the pancreatic response to CCK was assessed in six patients and six normal controls. Compared to normals, all diabetics exhibited a significant reduction in both enzyme and bicarbonate secretion to all stimuli. This reduction was not corrected by administering bethanechol. Plasma glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide levels in diabetics were not significantly higher than those in controls. We conclude that diabetics with diarrhea and peripheral neuropathy exhibit impairment of their exocrine pancreatic secretion and possible mechanisms for this are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Polard HM, Miller L, Brewer WA: External secretion of the pancreas and diabetes mellitus. Am J Dig Dis 10:20–23, 1943
Chey WY, Shay H, Shuman CR: External pancreatic secretion in diabetes mellitus. Ann Intern Med 59:812–821, 1963
Vacca JB, Hende WJ, Knight WA: The exocrine pancreas in diabetes mellitus. Ann Intern Med 61:242–247, 1964
Baron JH, Nabarro JDN: Pancreatic exocrine function in maturity onset diabetes mellitus. Br Med J 4:25–27, 1973
Frier BM, Saunders JHB, Wormsley KG, Bouchier IAD: Exocrine pancreatic function in juvenile onset diabetes mellitus. Gut 17:685–691, 1976
Henderson JR, Daniel PM, Fraser PA: The pancreas as a single organ. Gut 22:158–167, 1981
Gepts W: Pathologic anatomy of the pancreas in juvenile onset diabetes mellitus. Diabetes 14:619–633, 1965
Solomon, TE, Grossman MI: Effect of atropine and vagotomy on transplanted pancreas. Am J Physiol 236:E186-E190, 1979
Modlin IM, Hansky J, Singer M, Walsh JH: Evidence that the cholinergic enteropancreatic reflexes may be independent of CCK release. Surgery 86:352–361, 1979
Singer MV, Solomon TE, Wood J, Grossman MI: Latency of pancreatic enzyme response to intraduodenal stimulants. Am J Physiol 238:G23-G29, 1980
Valenzuela JE, Lamers CB, Modlin IM, Walsh JH: Cholinergic component in the human pancreatic secretory response to intraintestinal oleate. Gut 24:807–811, 1983
Atkinson M, Hosking DJ: Gastrointestinal complications of diabetes mellitus. Clin Gastroenterol 12:633–650, 1983
Valenzuela JE, Weiner K, Saad C: Cholinergic Stimulation of human pancreatic secretion. Dig Dis Sci 31:615–619, 1986
Faloona GR, Unger RH: Glucagon.In Methods of Hormone Radioimmunoassay. BM Jaffe, HR Behrmann (eds). New York, Academic Press, 1974, pp 317–330
Taylor IL, Impicciatore M, Carter DC: Effect of atropine and vagotomy on the pancreatic polypeptide response to a meal. Am J Physiol 235:E443-E447, 1978
Matthews WS, Sterling RE, Boyd T, Flores P: Modified automated saccharogenic determination of serum and urinary amylase activity. Clin Chem 19:1384–1386, 1973
Hyden S: A turbidimetric method of determination of higher polyethylene glycols in biological materials. Lantbrukshoegsk Ann 22:139–145, 1955
DiMagno EP, Go VLW, Summerskill WHJ: Relationship between pancreatic enzyme output and malabsorption in severe pancreatic insufficiency. N Engl J Med 288:13, 1973
Dooley CP, Valenzuela JE: Duodenal volume and osmoreceptors in the stimulation of human pancreatic secretion. Gastroenterology 86:23–27, 1984
Dyck WP, Texter EC Jr, Lasater JM, Hightower NC Jr: Influence of glucagon on pancreatic exocrine secretion in man. Gastroenterology 58:532–539, 1970
Floyd JC Jr, Fajan SS, Rek S, Chance RE: A newly recognized pancreatic polypeptide: Plasma levels in health and disease. Recent Prog Horm Res 33:519, 1977
Greenberg GR, McCloy RF, Chadwick VS, Adrian TE, Baron JH, Bloom SR: Effect of bovine pancreatic polypeptide on basal pancreatic and biliary outputs in man. Dig Dis Sci 24:11–16, 1979
Ben Abdeljilil A, Palla JC, Desnuelle P: Effect of insulin on pancreatic amylase and chymotrypsinogen. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 18:71–75, 1965
Stockmann F, Soling HD: Regulation of biosynthesis of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen by nutritional and hormonal factors in the rat. Eur J Clin Invest 11:121–132, 1981
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Dr. Staples was a USC Medical Student during this protocol.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Newihi, H.E., Dooley, C.P., Saad, C. et al. Impaired exocrine pancreatic function in diabetics with diarrhea and peripheral neuropathy. Digest Dis Sci 33, 705–710 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01540434
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01540434