Abstract
Concentrations of human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) in serum were measured in the fasting state and after a meal in 19 control subjects and 24 patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). The severity of CP was characterized on the basis of the duodenal lipase concentration after a test meal (Lundh test). Basal and postprandial HPP concentrations were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased in severe and moderate chronic pancreatitis and in diabetes secondary to pancreatitis. There was only a weak correlation (r = 0.44; p < 0.05) between exocrine secretion and Δ HPP in CP. Fifty-eight percent of patients with CP had serum concentrations of HPP within the normal range, limiting the value of serum HPP measurement in the diagnosis of CP.