The Effect of Tuberculosis Infection on Pancreatic Beta-Cell Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate how individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus’ pancreatic β-cell function index and insulin resistance index are affected by tuberculosis infection. Methods: The study group consisted of 89 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis infection who were admitted to Jingzhou Chest Hospital between March 2019 and March 2021. Gender and duration of diabetes were matching conditions. The control group was made up of 89 patients with type 2 diabetes who were admitted to Jingzhou Central Hospital’s endocrinology department during the same period. The two patient groups provided general information such as gender, age, length of diabetes, and blood biochemical indexes such as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting glucose (FPG), and fasting C-peptide (FC-P). The HOMA calculator was used to calculate the HOMA-β and the HOMA-IR, and intergroup comparisons and correlation analyses were carried out. Results: Regarding gender, age, disease duration, FC-P, and HbA1c, the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, BMI, FPG, HOMA-β, and HOMA-IR showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). In comparison to the control group, the study group’s HOMA-β was lower and its HOMA-IR was greater. According to Spearman’s correlation analysis, HOMA-β had a negative association (P th FPG, HbA1c, and the length of the disease, and a positive correlation with BMI and FC-P. A positive correlation was found between HOMA-IR and BMI, FPG, and FC-P (P < 0.01), as well as a correlation with the length of the disease (P > 0.05) and HbA1c. Conclusions: In type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with tuberculosis infection, the patients had higher FPG levels and lower FC-P levels, the secretory function of pancreatic β-cells was more severely impaired, and insulin resistance was more obvious.

Pancreatic function testing: Here to stay for the 21st century

The diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis （CP） is based on the detection of abnormal structure or function of the diseased pancreas. The pancreatic function tests more accurately determine the presence of CP than tests of structure, especially for early stage disease. The function tests can be divided into two categories： non- invasive and invasive. The invasive ＂tube＂ tests can reliably detect mild, early CP, but are only available at a few referral centers and tend to be poorly tolerated by patients. The non-invasive tests are easy to obtain, but tend to perform poorly in patients with early, mild disease. Therefore, no one test is useful in all clinical situations, and a detailed understanding of the rational, pathophysiologic basis, strengths, and limitations of various tests is needed. This review highlights the role of various pancreatic function tests in the diagnosis of CP including fecal fat analysis, fecal elastase, fecal chymotrypsin, serum trypsin, the secretin stimulation test, the cholecystokinin （CCK） stimulation test, the combined secretin-CCK stimulation test, the intraductal and endoscopic secretin stimulation tests, and the functional magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas after secretin stimulation.

Experimental study on operative methods of pancreaticojejunostomy with reference to anastomotic patency and postoperative pancreatic exocrine function

AIM:To assess the patency of pancreaticoenterostomy and pancreatic exocrine function after three surgical methods. METHODS: A pig model of pancreatic ductal dilation was made by ligating the main pancreatic duct. After 4 wk ligation, a total of 36 piglets were divided randomly into four groups. The piglets in the control group underwent laparotomy only; the others were treated by three anastomoses: (1) end-to-end pancreaticojejunostomy invagination (EEPJ); (2) end-to-side duct-to- mucosa sutured anastomosis (ESPJ); or (3) binding pancreaticojejunostomy (BPJ). Anastomotic patency was assessed after 8 wk by body weight gain, intrapancreatic ductal pressure, pancreatic exocrine function secretin test, pancreatography, and macroscopic and histologic features of the anastomotic site. RESULTS: The EEPJ group had significantly slower weight gain than the ESPJ and BPJ groups on postoperative weeks 6 and 8 (P < 0.05). The animals in both the ESPJ and BPJ groups had a similar body weight gain.Intrapancreatic ductal pressure was similar in ESPJ and BPJ. However, pressure in EEPJ was significantly higher than that in ESPJ and BPJ (P < 0.05). All three functional parameters, the secretory volume, the flow rate of pancreatic juice, and bicarbonate concentration, were significantly higher in ESPJ and BPJ as compared to EEPJ (P < 0.05). However, the three parameters were similar in ESPJ and BPJ. Pancreatography performed after EEPJ revealed dilation and meandering of the main pancreatic duct, and the anastomotic site exhibited a variable degree of occlusion, and even blockage. Pancreatography of ESPJ and BPJ, however, showed normal ductal patency. Histopathology showed that the intestinal mucosa had fused with that of the pancreatic duct, with a gradual and continuous change from one to the other. For EEPJ, the portion of the pancreatic stump protruding into the jejunal lumen was largely replaced by cicatricial fibrous tissue. CONCLUSION: A mucosa-to-mucosa pancreatico- jejunostomy is the best choice for anastomotic patency when compared with EEPJ. BPJ can effectively maintain anastomotic patency and preserve pancreatic exocrine function as well as ESPJ.

Update on endoscopic pancreatic function testing

Hormone-stimulated pancreatic function tests (PFTs) are considered the gold standard for measuring pancreatic exocrine function. PFTs involve the administration of intravenous secretin or cholecystokinin, followed by collection and analysis of pancreatic secretions. Because exocrine function may decline in the earliest phase of pancreatic fibrosis, PFTs are considered accurate for diagnosing chronic pancreatitis. Unfortunately, these potentially valuable tests are infrequently performed except at specialized centers, because they are time consuming and complicated. To overcome these limitations, endoscopic PFT methods have been developed which include aspiration of pancreatic secretions through the suction channel of the endoscope. The secretin endoscopic pancreatic function test (ePFT) involves collection of duodenal aspirates at 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after secretin stimulation. A bicarbonate concentration greater than 80 mmol/L in any of the samples is considered a normal result. The secretin ePFT has demonstrated good sensitivity and specificity compared with various reference standards, including the "Dreiling tube" secretin PFT, endoscopic ultrasound, and surgical histology. Furthermore, a standard autoanalyzer can be used for bicarbonate analysis, which allows the secretin ePFT to be performed at any hospital. The secretin ePFT may complement imaging tests like endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the diagnosis of early chronic pancreatitis.This paper will review the literature validating the use of ePFT in the diagnosis of exocrine insufficiency and chronic pancreatitis. Newer developments will also be discussed, including the feasibility of combined EUS/ ePFT, the use of cholecystokinin alone or in combination with secretin, and the discovery of new protein and lipid pancreatic juice biomarkers which may complement traditional fluid analysis.

Pancreatic endocrine and exocrine changes in celiac disease

Although there is a great deal of information on celiac disease and associated involvement of other non-intestinal sites,data on concomitant changes in the structure and function of the pancreas is limited. The present review critically examines pancreatic endocrine changes that have been well documented in the literature,including insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic exocrine alterations may also occur,and if severe,marked malnutrition with pancreatic failure and ductal calcification have been observed. Finally,other pancreatic disorders have been recorded with celiac disease.

Long-term outcome of pancreatic function following oncological surgery in children:Institutional experience and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Pancreatic neoplasms are uncommon in children and in most cases they are benign or have low malignant potential.Pancreatoblastoma and solid pseudopapillary tumor are the most frequent types in early and late childhood,respectively.Complete resection,although burdened by severe complications,is the only curative treatment for these diseases.Pancreatic surgery may result in impaired exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function.However,limited data are available on the long-term pediatric pancreatic function following surgical resection.AIM To investigate endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function and growth after oncological pancreatic surgery in a pediatric series.METHODS A retrospective analysis of all pediatric patients who underwent surgery for pancreatic neoplasm in our Institution from January 31,2002 to the present was performed.Endocrine and exocrine insufficiency,auxological and fat-soluble vitamin status(A,D,E and clotting tests)were assessed at diagnosis and at every follow-up visit.Exocrine insufficiency was defined as steatorrhea with fecal elastase-1<200μg/g stool,while endocrine insufficiency was identified as onset of Diabetes or Impaired Glucose Tolerance.Growth was evaluated based on body mass index(BMI)z-score trend.RESULTS Sixteen patients(12 girls and 4 boys,mean age 10.7±5.3 years),were included.Nine patients(56%)had a neoplasm in the pancreatic head,4 in the body/tail,2 in the tail and 1 in the body.Histological findings were as follows:Solid pseudopapillary tumor in 10 patients(62.5%),insulinoma in 2 patients,neuroendocrine tumor in 2 patients and acinar cell carcinoma in 2 patients.The most frequent surgery was pancreaticoduodenectomy(50%).Exocrine failure occurred in 4 patients(25%)and endocrine failure in 2 patients(12.5%).Exocrine insufficiency occurred early(within 6 mo after surgery)and endocrine insufficiency later(8 and 10 years after surgery).Mean BMI z-score was 0.36±1.1 at diagnosis and 0.27±0.95 at the last assessment.Vitamin D was insufficient(<30 ng/mL)in 8 of the 16 patients during the follow-up period.Vitamins A,E and clotting test were into the normal ranges in all patients.CONCLUSION Careful and long-term monitoring should follow any pancreatic surgery,to recognize and promptly treat exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency,which can occur after surgery.

A Study on Enhancing Pancreatic Islet Function in Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease Patients with Liraglutide and Metformin Combination Therapy

Objective:To investigate the impact of combining liraglutide with metformin on the enhancement of pancreatic islet function in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.Methods:60 patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease admitted from February 2022 to August 2023 were selected as research subjects.They were randomly assigned to either control or treatment groups,with 30 patients in each.The control group received metformin alone,while the treatment group received liraglutide in combination with metformin.Various indicators,including blood sugar levels,pancreatic islet function,and cardiac function between the two groups were compared.Results:The results of FPG,2hPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,NT-proBNP,and LVEDD in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group,whereas the values of FINS,HOMA-β,E/A,and LVEF in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The use of liraglutide in combination with metformin significantly benefits patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.It leads to improved pancreatic islet function,better blood sugar control,and enhanced cardiac function.This combination therapy is recommended for clinical adoption.

Considerations on pancreatic exocrine function after pancreaticoduodenectomy

The pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD) procedure may lead to pancreatic exocrine and endocrine insufficiency.There are several types of reconstruction for this kind of operation.Pancreaticogastrostomy(PG) was introduced to reduce the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula.Although some randomized control trials have shown no differences regarding pancreatic leakage between PG and pancreaticojejunostomy(PJ),recently some reports reveal benefits from the PG over the PJ.Some surgeons concern about the performing of the PG and inactivation of pancreatic enzymes being in contact with the gastric juice,and the detrimental results over the exocrine pancreatic function.The pancreatic exocrine function can be measured with direct and indirect tests.Direct tests have the highest sensitivity and specificity for detection of exocrine insufficiency but require tube placement.Among the tubeless indirect tests,the van de Kamer stool fat analysis remains the standard to diagnose fat malabsorption.The patient compliance and time consuming makes it not so suitable for its clinical use.Fecal immunoreactive elastase test is employed for screening of exocrine insufficiency,is not cumbersome,and has been used to study pancreatic function after resection.We analyze the FE1 levels in our patients after the PD with two types of reconstruction,PG and PJ,and we discuss some considerations about the pancreaticointestinal drainage method after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Surgical management of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms are a rare and complex group of neoplastic lesions that develop from pancreatic islet cells.Their incidence has dramatically increased during the last two decades.Due to its complex nature and pathophysiological behaviour,surgical management continues to evolve.Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment for most non-functional and functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours,while lymphadenectomy remains a controversial subject.Different techniques,such as pancreas-preserving and minimally invasive approaches,continue to evolve and offer the same overall outcomes as open surgery.This comprehensive review describes in detail the current and most up-todate classification and staging of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours,explores the rationale for nonsurgical and surgical management,and focuses on surgical treatment and more specifically,on minimally invasive approaches.

THE CHANGES OF PANCREATIC ACINAR CELL FUNCTION IN ACUTE NECROTIZING PANCREATITIS OF RATS

ObjectiFe To evaluate the changes of pancreatic acinar cell functions in the rats with acutenecrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). methods Seventy SD rats were randomized into two groups: experimental group(n=35) and control group (n=35). To prepare the experimental model, the retrograde injection of 5% sodiumtaurocholate into the pancreatic duct was used for inducing ANP. Radioactive tracing by L -3H-phenylalanineand autoradiography were performed for scoring the differences of changes of amino acid uptake, enzyme-proteinsynthesis and output from acinar cells in rats between both groups. Results No changes were observed in aminoacid uptake and enzyme -protein synthesis in rats with dotted and haemorrhagic necrotizing foci as compared withcontrol group. However, accumulated zymogen granules in the interstitial of acinar cells were seen in theexperimental group. Conclusion It indicates that in experimental ANP rats, the functions of acinar cells in bothamino acid uptake and protein synthesis were essentially normal, but the pathway of enzyme output was affectedinto ectopic secretion through the bottom or lateral cellular membrane of pancreatic acinar cell.

A comparative study of pancreatic endocrine function and related metabolism after long-term survival between the patients with combined kidneypancreas transplantation vs those with combined en bloc ' liver-pancreas transplantation

Objective To compare the effects of combined en bloc liver - pancreas transplantation ( LPT) with portal vein drainage and simultaneous combined kidney - pancreas transplantation ( KPT) with systemic venous drainage on the pancreatic endocrine function and related me-

Surgical management of chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Treatment of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a challenging condition for surgeons. During the last decades, increasing knowledge about pathophysiology of CP, improved results of major pancreatic resections, and integration of sophisticated diagnostic methods in clinical practice have resulted in significant changes in surgery for CP. DATA SOURCES: To detail the indications for CP surgery, the surgical procedures, and outcome, a Pubmed database search was performed. The abstracts of searched articles about surgical management of CP were reviewed. The articles could be identified and further scrutinized. Further references were extracted by cross-referencing. RESULTS: Main indications of CP for surgery are intractable pain, suspicion of malignancy, and involvement of adjacent organs. The goal of surgical treatment is to improve the quality of life of patients. The surgical approach to CP should be individualized according to pancreatic anatomy, pain characteristics, baseline exocrine and endocrine function, and medical co-morbidity. The approach usually involves pancreatic duct drainage and resection including longitudinal pancreatojejunostomy, pancreatoduodenectomy (Whipple’s procedure), pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, total pancreatectomy, duodenum- preserving pancreatic head resection (Beger’s procedure), and local resection of the pancreatic head with longitudinal pancreatojejunostomy (Frey’s procedure). Non-pancreatic and endoscopic management of pain has also been advocated. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical procedures provide long-term pain relief, a good postoperative quality of life withpreservation of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function, and are associated with low early and late mortality and morbidity. In addition to available results from randomized controlled trials, new studies are needed to determine which procedure is the most effective for the management of patients with CP.

Endoscopic ultrasound for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis

Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) has become a well accepted test for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.Advantages include its ability to detect subtle and severe changes of the pancreatic duct and parenchyma,and its relative safety compared with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.Limitations include inter-and intraobserver variability,operator dependence,and an incomplete understanding of its true accuracy.The Rosemont classif ication has recently been proposed as a weighted,standardized method that may improve EUS chronic pancreatitis scoring.This paper reviews the published evidence regarding the accuracy of EUS in chronic pancreatitis diagnosis,and enumerates the emerging technologies that have been recently studied which may ultimately improve endosonographic imaging of the pancreas.

Pathophysiology of alcoholic pancreatitis:An overview

Use of alcohol is a worldwide habit regardless of socio- economic background. Heavy alcohol consumption is a potential risk factor for induction of pancreatitis. The current review cites the updated literature on the alcohol metabolism, its effects on gastrointestinal and pancreatic function and in causing pancreatic injury, genetic predisposition of alcohol induced pancreatitis. Reports describing prospective mechanisms of action of alcohol activating the signal transduction pathways, induction of oxidative stress parameters through the development of animal models are being presented.

Does an association exist between chronic pancreatitis and liver cirrhosis in alcoholic subjects?

AIM: To study the possible association between chronic pancreatitis (CP) and liver cirrhosis (LC) of alcoholic etiology,after excluding any other causes.METHODS: One hundred and forty consecutive alcoholic patients were subdivided into three groups: CP (n = 53),LC (n = 57),and asymptomatic alcoholic (n = 30).Clinical,biochemical and morphological characteristics,Child-Pugh index,indocyanine green test,and fecal pancreatic elastase-1 test were assessed.RESULTS: In patients with cirrhosis,major clinical manifestations of CP such as pancreatic pain and steatorrhea,as well as imaging alterations of CP such as calcifications,duct dilation and pseudocysts were absent; insulin-dependent diabetes was present in 5.3% of cases,and elastase-1 test was altered in only 7%,and severely altered in none.In patients with CP,clinical characteristics of cirrhosis such as ascites,encephalopathy and gastrointestinal hemorrhage were present in one case,Child-Pugh grade > A in 5.7%,and altered indocyanine green test in 1.9% cases.In asymptomatic alcoholism,there was only a non-coincident alteration of elastase-1 test and indocyanine test in 14.8% and 10%,respectively,but other characteristics of cirrhosis or CP were absent.An inverse correlation (r = -0.746) between elastase-1 test and indocyanine test was found in alcoholic patients.CONCLUSION: There is a scarce coincidence in clinical and morphological alterations among patients with CP or LC of alcoholic etiology,but an inverse correlation between pancreatic and liver function tests.These findings support that these alcoholic diseases evolve in a different manner and have different etiopathogenesis.

Autoimmune pancreatitis: Functional and morphological recovery after steroid therapy

Autoimmune pancreatitis, a recently recognized type of chronic pancreatitis, is not rare in Japan, but reports of it elsewhere are relatively uncommon. We report the first preoperatively diagnosed case of autoimmune pancreatitis in Hungary, which responded well to steroid treatment and provided radiographic and functional evidence of this improvement. A 62-year-old female presented with a 4-month history of recurrent epigastric pain and a 5-kg weight loss. The oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） indicated diabetes mellitus and the result of the fecal elastase test was abnormal. Ultrasonography （US） and the CT scan demonstrated a diffusely enlarged pancreas, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） an irregular main pancreatic duct with long strictures in the head and tail. Autoimmune pancreatitis was diagnosed. The patient was started on 32 mg prednisolone daily, After 4 wk, the OGTT and faecal elastase test results had normalized. The repeated US and CT scan revealed a marked improvement of the diffuse pancreatic swelling, while on repeated ERCP, the main pancreatic duct narrowing was seen to be ameliorated. It is important to be aware of this disease and its diagnosis, because AIP can clinically resemble pancreatobiliary malignancies, or chronic or acute pancreatitis, However, in contrast with chronic pancreatitis, its symptoms and morphologic and laboratory alterations are completely reversed by oral steroid therapy.

Comparing acid steatocrit and faecal elastase estimations for use in M-ANNHEIM staging for pancreatitis

AIM To compare two tests for exocrine pancreatic function(EPF) for use in M-ANNHEIM staging for pancreatitis. METHODS One hundred and ninety four consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis(AP; n = 13), recurrent acute pancreatitis(RAP; n = 65) and chronic pancreatitis(CP; n = 116) were enrolled. EPF was assessed by faecal elastase-1(FE-1) estimation and stool fat excretion by the acid steatocrit method. Patients were classified as per M-ANNHEIM stages separately based on the results of the two tests for comparison. Independent Student's t-test, χ~2 test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test and Mc Nemar's test were used as appropriate. RESULTS Sixty-one(52.5%) patients with CP had steatorrhoea when assessed by the acid steatocrit method; 79 (68.1%) with CP had exocrine insufficiency by the FE-1 test(χ~2 test, P < 0.001). The results of acid steatocrit and FE-1 showed a significant negative correlation(Spearman's rho =-0.376, P < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was seen between the M-ANNHEIM stages as classified separately by acid steatocrit and the FE-1. Thirteen(6.7%), 87(44.8%), 89(45.8%) and 5(2.5%) patients were placed in M-ANNHEIM stages 0,?Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ respectively, with the use of acid steatocrit as against 13(6.7%), 85(43.8%), 75(38.6%), and 21(10.8%) respectively by FE-1 in stages 0,?Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ thereby altering the stage in 28(14.4%) patients(P < 0.001, Mc Nemar's test). CONCLUSION FE-1 estimation performed better than the acid steatocrit test for use in the staging of pancreatitis by the M-ANNHEIM classification since it diagnosed a higher proportion of patients with exocrine insufficiency.

Role of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model of severe acute pancreatitis

AIM:To investigate the role and potential mechanisms of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) in severe acute peritonitis(SAP).METHODS:Pancreatic acinar cells from Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:nonsodium deoxycholate(SDOC) group(non-SODC group),SDOC group,and a MSCs intervention group(i.e.,a co-culture system of MSCs and pancreatic acinar cells + SDOC).The cell survival rate,the concentration of malonaldehyde(MDA),the density of superoxide dismutase(SOD),serum amylase(AMS) secretion rate and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) leakage rate were detected at various time points.In a separate study,Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into either an SAP group or an SAP + MSCs group.Serum AMS,MDA and SOD,interleukin(IL)-6,IL-10,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α levels,intestinal mucosa injury scores and proliferating cells of small intestinal mucosa were measured at various time points after injecting either MSCs or saline into rats.In both studies,the protective effect of MSCs was evaluated.RESULTS:In vitro,The cell survival rate of pancreatic acinar cells and the density of SOD were significantly reduced,and the concentration of MDA,AMS secretion rate and LDH leakage rate were significantly increased in the SDOC group compared with the MSCs intervention group and the Non-SDOC group at each time point.In vivo,Serum AMS,IL-6,TNF-α and MAD level in the SAP + MSCs group were lower than the SAP group;however serum IL-10 level was higher than the SAP group.Serum SOD level was higher than the SAP group at each time point,whereas a significant betweengroup difference in SOD level was only noted after 24 h.Intestinal mucosa injury scores was significantly reduced and the proliferating cells of small intestinal mucosa became obvious after injecting MSCs.CONCLUSION:MSCs can effectively relieve injury to pancreatic acinar cells and small intestinal epithelium,promote the proliferation of enteric epithelium and repair of the mucosa,attenuate systemic inflammation in rats with SAP.

Staging chronic pancreatitis with exocrine function tests: Are we better?

Chronic pancreatitis(CP) is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas evolving in progressive fibrotic disruption of the gland with exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Although imaging features of CP are well known, their correlation with exocrine pancreatic function tests are not obvious, particularly in the early stage of the disease. There are many clinical classification of CP, all suggested for better distinguish and manage different forms based on etiological and clinical factors, and severity of the disease. Recently, a new classification of CP has been suggested: the M-ANNHEIM multiple risk factor classification that includes etiology, stage classification and degree of clinical severity. However, more accurate determination of clinical severity of CP requires a correct determination of exocrine function of the pancreas and fecal fat excretion. Recently, Kamath et al demonstrated that the evaluation of exocrine pancreatic function by acid steatocrit and fecal elastase-1(EF-1) was helpful, but EF-1 was able to detect exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in more patients, upgrading some patients in higher stage of disease according to M-ANNHEIM classification. So, EF-1 is a more accurate test to determine exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and to stage chronic pancreatitis in the M-ANNHEIM classification. On the contrary, EF-1 determination shows low sensitivity in detecting exocrine pancreatic insufficiency in early stage of the disease.

FUNCTIONAL STATUS OF PANCREATIC ISLET IN ACUTE LEUKEMIA

Using enzymatic assay and radioimmunoassay, we studied the functional status of pancreatic islet in 50 patients with acute leukemia. Oral glucose tolerance test and insulin and C peptide release were made in 40 patients before and after treatment .14 patients who revealed diabetic curve and delayed insulin and C peptide release before treatment showed normal values in 6 after therapy. Five patients with impaired glucose tolerance and decreased insulin and C peptide release before treatment showed normalization of these parameters following therapy. Five patients with normal pretreatment values disclosed abnormal post-treatment results. The remaining 16 patients displayed normal results both before and after therapy. Anti-insulin antibodies were negative, and glucagon level was normal in all the 50 patients. The red cell insulin receptor binding rate analysed in 47 patients was significantly higher than in controls (P< 0.001). We considered that the disturbed glucose metabolism in acute leukemia was not uncommon mainly due to the dysfunction of pancreatic islet β cells as a result of islet damage by leukemic cells, the effect of corticosteroid and chemotherapy and the preexisting diabetes. Impaired glucose metabolism had no influence on therapeutic effect.