Plasma apolipoprotein A-IV levels decrease in patients with chronic pancreatitis and malabsorption syndrome.

An immunochemical method was developed for measurements of serum levels of apolipoprotein A-IV (apo A-IV). Using this technique, we found decreased levels of apo A-IV in patients with chronic pancreatitis and malabsorption syndrome and these low levels of apo A-IV in a patient with malabsorption syndrome were overcome after appropriate oral nutrition. Thus, measurements of apo A-IV may provide a good index for the assessment of fat intake and absorption.