The effect of an intraduodenal elemental diet on pancreatic secretion.

The effect of an elemental diet on canine exocrine pancreatic secretion was evaluated by infusing an elemental diet into the duodenum of dogs and monitoring the output of the pancreas. The stimulatory properties of the elemental diet were compared with a nearly equimolar dose of an L-form neutral amino acid, 0.16 normal hydrochloric acid, and 2 units per kilogram per hour of exogenous cholecystokinin. Intraduodenal infusion of elemental diet produced significant increases in pancreatic volume and protein output. These changes were similar to those produced by the amino acid solution and suggest that the stimulatory properties of the elemental diet are primarily due to the amino acid content. The results of the this study suggest that elemental diets stimulate the duodental mucosa to secrete cholecystokinin which stimulates the exocrine pancreas. Elemental diets administered in such a manner that the substance passes through the duodenum would not theoretically be a satisfactory method of providing calories to patients with acute pancreatitis.