Disorders of the pancreas

Question 1

What exocrine ezymes are secreted by the pancreas?

Answer 1

1) Bicarbonate (neutralise acid to allow enzymes to work)
2) Digestive enzymes :
- Trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase (proteins)
- Carboxypeptidase (carbs)
- Amylase (starch)
- lipase (fat)

Question 2

What are the biological features of pancreatitis?

Answer 2

• Uraemia (high uric acid)
• Hypoalbuminaemia (enzymes not secreted so no protein absorption)
• Hypocalcaemia (fat necrosis due to autodigestion leads to fatty acid binding to calcium&raquo_space; precipitation of calium.)
• Hyperglycaemia (stress reaction secretes glucagon)
• Metabolic acidosis

Question 3

How does chronic pancreatitis present?

Answer 3

• abdo pain
• malabsorption&raquo_space;>weightloss, bone pain, malaigse
• impaired glucose tolerance