Duodenal Output of Lactoferrin in Normal Subjects and Correlation to Output of Amylase, Bicarbonate, and Total Bile Acids

Abstract

Nineteen normal subjects were studied before and after pancreatic stimulation. Duodenal flow was quantitated by means of a dilution indicator technique, and the secretion pattern of lactoferrin, amylase, total bile acids, and bicarbonate was studied. Output of lactoferrin in the duodenum was increased both after stimulation with a test meal and after hormonal stimulation by cholecystokinin alone or cholecystokinin in combination with secretin. Output of lactoferrin was not affected by stimulation by secretin alone. Lactoferrin was secreted in parallel with amylase and bile acids. The results indicate that the origin of lactoferrin in duodenum can be bile or pancreatic juice, or a combination of these.

Key Words:

• Amylase
• bicarbonate
• bile
• bile acids
• duodenal juice
• lactoferrin
• pancreatic secretion