Longitudinal changes of plasma pancreatic enzymes and hormones in experimental pancreatolithiasis in dogs.

Plasma pancreatic enzymes and hormones were longitudinally observed after producing partial obstruction of the major pancreatic duct in dogs to study an initial state of chronic pancreatitis or pancreatolithiasis. Fasting plasma immunoreactive cationic trypsin was elevated during the first six months and then decreased in a subgroup with pancreatic calculi, marked fibrosis, or duct dilatation when compared with the corresponding opposite at the end of the 12-month period. Similar but less prominent changes were found in fasting plasma immunoreactive pancreatic polypeptide (IRPP). Plasma amylase, glucose, or immunoreactive insulin or glucagon (IRG) show no significant variation. Plasma IRG and IRPP responses to intravenous insulin were reduced in the subgroups with marked pancreatic changes towards the end of the 12-month period. These results suggest that plasma pancreatic enzymes and hormones remain elevated as long as pancreatic damage is mild and then start to decline as the damage progresses in chronic pancreatitis or pancreatolithiasis.