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Effect of ethanol on pancreatic and biliary secretions in humans

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Abstract

The effect of various doses of ethanol on pancreatic and biliary secretions was studied in normal subjects and in patients with alcoholic pancreatitis. The composition of duodenal aspirates after ethanol administration was compared to that obtained after isotonic saline administration. A multilumen tube was used to perfuse a nonabsorbable marker (phenol red) into the duodenum, to collect duodenal secretions, and to perfuse saline or ethanol 45 cm beyond the ligament of Treitz. After the equilibration period, three 20-minute basal collections were obtained, followed by nine more collections after ethanol was started. Jejunal perfusion of isotonic (1.39%) alcohol, at rates at which no significant blood ethanol levels could be detected, did not cause changes in pancreatic or biliary secretions in either group. On the other hand, jejunal or intravenous alcohol administration in doses of 1 g/kg body weight caused marked reductions in volume and outputs of pancreatic enzymes, bicarbonate, and bile salts. The decrease in outputs was accompanied by a corresponding diminution in concentrations. The changes observed indicate that acute administration of large doses of ethanol causes rapid changes in the composition of duodenal aspirates in humans, which cannot be totally explained by postulating a spasm of the sphincter of Oddi.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastrointestinal Section of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia General Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Geobel A. Marin MD, Nan L. Ward AB, MEa & Robert Fischer PhD

Authors
  1. Geobel A. Marin MD
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  2. Nan L. Ward AB, MEa
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  3. Robert Fischer PhD
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Additional information

This study was supported in part by Clinical Research Center Grant FR-0107 from the National Institutes of Health, United States Public Health Service, Bethesda, Maryland; and Philadelphia General Hospital Research Fund Grants 7114 and 7301, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Marin, G.A., Ward, N.L. & Fischer, R. Effect of ethanol on pancreatic and biliary secretions in humans. Digest Dis Sci 18, 825–833 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01073332

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