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Exocrine pancreatic secretion in the elderly

International journal of pancreatology volume 3, pages 497–502 (1988)Cite this article

Summary

In order to evaluate impairment of exocrine pancreatic function during aging, 27 subjects (mean age: 36 years±7.8) and 28 subjects (mean age: 72 years±3.2), with no clinical or radiological evidence of digestive disease, were selected. Duodenal aspirates over a 60 min period were obtained during continuous IV infusion of secretin (0.5 U/kg/h) and caerulein (75 ng/kg/h). Bicarbonate, lipase, chymotrypsin, amylase concentrations and output were measured. Bicarbonate, lipase, chymotrypsin concentrations in the aged group were significantly reduced by 17%, 15% and 23% respectively (P<0.05) as compared with those in the young group. In addition, a significant reduction of approximately 45% in bicarbonate and enzyme output levels was observed. This study provides strong evidence for a marked functional involution of the exocrine pancreatic secretion during aging. The potential consequences of this phenomenon on the nutritional status in the elderly are discussed.

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Affiliations

  1. Unité INSERM 151, Bat L3, CHU de Rangueil, Avenue Jean Poulhes 31054, 31400, Toulouse, France

    D. Balas, M. Bouisson, F. Senegas-Balas, M. Guidet & A. Ribet

  2. Service des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, CHU de Rangueil, 31054, Toulouse

    J. Moreau

  3. Service de Medecine Geriatrique, CHU de Purpan, 31300, Toulouse, France

    B. Vellas

Authors
  1. B. Vellas
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  2. D. Balas
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  3. J. Moreau
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  4. M. Bouisson
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  5. F. Senegas-Balas
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  6. M. Guidet
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  7. A. Ribet
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Vellas, B., Balas, D., Moreau, J. et al. Exocrine pancreatic secretion in the elderly. Int J Pancreatol 3, 497–502 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02788208

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02788208

Key words

  • Aging
  • Human pancreas
  • Functional pancreatic tests
  • Lipase
  • Amylase
  • Chymotrypsin
  • Bicarbonate