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Trypsin and chymotrypsin as aids in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease

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Abstract

One hundred and fifty-five tests were carried out on 70 patients using various regimens for stimulating the pancreas. Duodenal contents were quantitatively aspirated for determination of trypsin and chymotrypsin. Good discrimination between patients with pancreatic disease or pancreatic malfunction and patients with other gastrointestinal disease and normal pancreatic function was provided by measuring enzyme output during continuous intravenous infusion of 0.25 clinical units secretin together with 4 or 16 Crick, Harper, Raper units of cholecystokinin-pancreozymin per kilogram body weight each hour. The larger dose was occasionally associated with side effects; for routine purposes the smaller dose is satisfactory. Criteria for interpreting enzyme values are suggested. Trypsin output was more reliable than chymotrypsin as a diagnostic test, although determination of both was sometimes valuable. Estimation of enzyme concentration did not help to distinguish normal pancreatic function from abnormal function in the present series.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. A. Nigel Fawcett MB, BS (FRCS)

    Present address: the University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Sheffield

Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Department of Chemical Pathology, Royal Hospital, Sheffield

    David M. Goldberg MB, ChB, BSc, PhD (MRCPath) & John K. Sale BSc

  2. the University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Sheffield

    Kenneth G. Wormsley MD, BSc (MRCP)

Authors
  1. David M. Goldberg MB, ChB, BSc, PhD
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  2. John K. Sale BSc
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  3. A. Nigel Fawcett MB, BS
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  4. Kenneth G. Wormsley MD, BSc
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Additional information

Supported in part by research grants from the United Sheffield Hospitals Endowment Fund and the Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust.

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Goldberg, D.M., Sale, J.K., Fawcett, A.N. et al. Trypsin and chymotrypsin as aids in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease. Digest Dis Sci 17, 780–792 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02231147

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