The enzyme levels in blood are not affected by oral administration of a pancreatic enzyme preparation (Creon 10,000) in pancreas-insufficient pigs.

Author(s): Gewert K, Holowachuk SA, Rippe C, Gregory PC, Erlanson-Albertsson C, Olivecrona G, Kruszewska D, Piedra JV, Westrom B, Pierzynowski SG

Affiliation(s): Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Publication date & source: 2004-01, Pancreas., 28(1):80-8.

Publication type:

After oral intake, small amounts of intact protein may be absorbed into the blood circulation. The current study investigated whether orally administered pancreatic enzymes were absorbed from the intestine. The study included 28 pigs; 3 control pigs with intact pancreatic function and 25 pigs that were made exocrine pancreas insufficient by duct ligation (20 pigs) or total pancreatectomy (5 pigs).The pigs received a pancreatic enzyme preparation (0, 2, 4, or 8 g of Creon 10,000) together with the feed. The blood plasma was analyzed for pancreatic lipase activity with a [3H]-triolein substrate assay, while (pro)colipase and cationic trypsin(ogen) levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Administration of Creon (0-8 g) caused no significant changes in plasma (pro)colipase or cationic trypsin(ogen) levels. Lipase activity peaks in plasma samples were found, but they did not correspond to the administration of Creon. The potential source of these plasma lipase activity peaks is discussed. The results showed no absorption into blood of pancreatic enzymes after oral administration (0, 2, 4, or 8 g of Creon mixed with 100 g of feed) to pancreas-insufficient pigs.