The pancreas secretes both hormones and digestive juices. A study in the journal, "Pancreas" noted that the acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas produce approximately 2 liters per day of digestive juices. Digestive juices are composed of enzymes called lipases, proteases and amylases. These enzymes are secreted into the small intestine where they aid in the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Some diseases, such as chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, Crohn's and celiac disease can cause inflammation of the pancreas resulting in destruction of the cells that secrete digestive enzymes. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy improves the condition of pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, or EPI, by preventing malnutrition, weight loss and diarrhea.
Malnutrition
Food energy is stored in carbohydrates, fats and proteins. These macronutrients must be broken down by pancreatic digestive enzymes in order for their energy to be utilized by cells. If digestion is compromised less energy is available for the body. Additionally, many vitamins are fat-soluble and are only transported into the bloodstream with digested fat. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy improves nutrient digestion and prevents malnutrition.
Weight Loss Prevention
When nutrients are not digested and absorbed, fat and muscle tissue is broken down to provide energy for the body. This tissue breakdown results in significant weight loss in people with EPI. Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy increases nutrient digestion and prevents weight loss.
Diarrhea Prevention
A review in the April 2009 issue of the "World Journal of Gastroenterology" reports that fat digestion is more extensively compromised than carbohydrate or protein digestion in patients with EPI. A common manifestation of impaired fat digestion is steatorrhea, which is a type of diarrhea that occurs when excessive fat is present in stools. Steatorrhea is often accompanied by abdominal pain and flatus. A study in the journal, "Pancreas" reports that although treatment is improving, lipid digestion is not completely restored by current methods of pancreatic enzyme replacement treatment.
References
- "Pancreas"; Pure Pancreatic Juice Collection Over 24 Consecutive Hours; L. Gullo et al.; 1987
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology"; Chronic Pancreatitis: Maldigestion, Intestinal Ecology and Intestinal Inflammation; Raffaele Pezzilli; April 2009
- "Pancreas"; Lipase Supplementation Therapy: Standards, Alternatives, and Perspectives; P. Layer and J. Keller; January 2003
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