[Diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis based on the determination of lactoferrin and calcium in the duodenal juice?].

The diagnostic relevance of measuring calcium and lactoferrin in duodenal juice collected after stimulation is unclear. Concentration and output of these compounds were therefore analyzed after maximal stimulation of the pancreas according to Ribet, the duodenal juice being collected during an endoscopic procedure as described earlier. Kinetics of secretion showed a maximum within the first 10 minutes. Values of calcium and lactoferrin were not statistically different in normal persons (n = 32) and patients with chronic pancreatitis (n = 11). There was a good correlation to concentration of bilirubin (p less than 0.001), however no correlation to concentrations of immunoreactive trypsin and lipase. It must be assumed, that calcium and lactoferrin in duodenal juice are not only of pancreatic origin. These measurements are therefore useless in the diagnosis of pancreatitis.