[Role of pancreatic enzymes in the intraluminal transport and ileal absorption of vitamin B 12 (Cb 1)].

The present paper outlines the classical concepts of transport and absorption of vitamin B12 and discusses findings which provide new insight into the important role of pancreatic enzymes in the absorption of the vitamin B12. In vivo experiments with healthy subjects and patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency demonstrate that the pancreatic enzymes do not activate "the precursor" intrinsic factor molecule but solely dissociate vitamin from the inactive R type proteins with a consequent coupling to the biologically active intrinsic factor.