PMID: 6159567Oct 1, 1980Paper

Development of functional responses in human exocrine pancreas

Pediatrics
E Lebenthal, P C Lee

Abstract

The ability of newborns to digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates depends, to a large extent, on their level of exocrine pancreatic function. Building on the limited published data, we studied pancreatic enzyme activities in the duodenal fluid and the response of the exocrine pancreas to secretogogues in 15 premature and full-term infants at birth and at 30 days of age. We compared these findings to those obtained from identical studies of 17 children age 2 years and above. In addition, we measured the pancreatic exopeptidase, carboxypeptidase B, in relation to other pancreatic enzymes. The duodenal fluid of newborns and infants contained no amylase and negligible lipase. Carboxypeptidase B levels were also low compared to those in the older children. In contrast, chymotrypsin activity in infants was about 50% to 60% of level found in the older children. Trypsin activity, the highest of all the enzymes measured, was about the same in both newborns and older children, with a transient increase at 30 days. Administration of pancreozymin had no effect on pancreatic enzymes in the duodenal fluid of newborns and a slight effect on 1-month-old infants. But by age 2 years, a full response of the pancreas to pancreozymin was evident....Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.