Plasma cholecystokinin levels in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Using a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for cholecystokinin (CCK) we have measured plasma CCK levels in patients with and without chronic pancreatitis. All patients suffered from steatorrhea. The basal plasma values in patients with chronic pancreatitis (n = 10) were significantly higher compared with a control group of 40 normal subjects. After ingestion of a test meal peak plasma levels of CCK were significantly higher than in controls, but the integrated CCK release did not differ from the normal subjects. The findings indicate a close relationship between plasma CCK concentration and exocrine pancreatic function.