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. 2017 Nov-Dec;17(6):876-883.
doi: 10.1016/j.pan.2017.09.007. Epub 2017 Sep 20.

Relationship between circulating levels of pancreatic proteolytic enzymes and pancreatic hormones

Sakina H Bharmal  1 , Sayali A Pendharkar  1 , Ruma G Singh  1 , Mark O Goodarzi  2 , Stephen J Pandol  3 , Maxim S Petrov  4
Affiliations

Relationship between circulating levels of pancreatic proteolytic enzymes and pancreatic hormones

Sakina H Bharmal et al. Pancreatology. 2017 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Background: While the close morphological relationship between the exocrine and endocrine pancreas is well established, their functional interaction remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between circulating levels of pancreatic proteolytic enzymes and insulin, as well as other pancreatic hormones.

Methods: Fasting venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for trypsin, chymotrypsin, insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide. Linear regression analysis was used in unadjusted and two adjusted (accounting for prediabetes/diabetes, body mass index, smoking, and other covariates) statistical models.

Results: A total of 93 individuals with a history of acute pancreatitis were included in this cross-sectional study. Chymotrypsin was significantly associated with insulin in the two adjusted models (p = 0.005; p = 0.003) and just missed statistical significance in the unadjusted model (p = 0.066). Chymotrypsin was significantly associated with glucagon in both unadjusted (p = 0.025) and adjusted models (p = 0.014; p = 0.015); as well as with somatostatin - in both unadjusted (p = 0.001) and adjusted models (p = 0.001; p = 0.002). Trypsin was not significantly associated with insulin in any of the models but was significantly associated with glucagon in both unadjusted (p < 0.001) and adjusted models (p < 0.001), and pancreatic polypeptide in both unadjusted (p < 0.001) and adjusted (p < 0.001) models.

Conclusion: The state of hyperinsulinemia is characterized by a dysfunction of the exocrine pancreas. In particular, chymotrypsin is increased in the state of hyperinsulinemia and trypsin is significantly associated with glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide.

Keywords: Chymotrypsin; Insulin; Insulo-acinar axis; Pancreatic hormones; Trypsin.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures

No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Associations between pancreatic proteolytic enzymes and insulinemia.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Associations between pancreatic proteolytic enzymes and insulinemia stratified by the presence/absence of chronic alcohol consumption.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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