What functions can be affected by pancreatic diseases?

Under normal circumstances, pancreatic diseases can affect various functions including the secretion of digestive fluids, blood glucose regulation, fat metabolism, protein metabolism, and the regulation of water and electrolyte balance. The specific impacts are as follows:

1. Digestive Fluid Secretion Function

The pancreas is an important digestive gland, and its exocrine portion secretes pancreatic juice, which contains digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase, trypsinogen, and chymotrypsinogen. These enzymes play crucial roles in digesting starch, fat, and proteins in food. When the pancreas is diseased, such as in pancreatitis, the secretion of pancreatic juice may decrease or its composition may become abnormal, leading to incomplete digestion of food and causing symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal distension, and diarrhea.

2. Blood Glucose Regulation Function

The endocrine portion of the pancreas, known as the islets of Langerhans, secretes hormones such as insulin and glucagon. Insulin promotes the uptake, utilization, and storage of glucose by cells, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. Glucagon, on the other hand, promotes the breakdown of glycogen in the liver and gluconeogenesis, thus increasing blood glucose levels. Pancreatic diseases such as islet cell tumors and diabetes can affect the secretion and regulation of insulin and glucagon, leading to imbalances in blood glucose levels and causing symptoms of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.

3. Fat Metabolism Function

Pancreatic lipase is a key enzyme for fat digestion, breaking down fats into glycerol and fatty acids for absorption and utilization by the body. When pancreatic diseases impair the secretion of pancreatic lipase, fat digestion and absorption are hindered, and fat may be excreted in the feces, leading to steatorrhea. This can also result in malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins, potentially causing vitamin deficiency disorders.

4. Protein Metabolism Function

Trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen are activated in the small intestine into active enzymes—trypsin and chymotrypsin—which break down proteins into peptides and amino acids for absorption and utilization by the body. Pancreatic diseases can lead to insufficient secretion or abnormal activity of these proteases, impairing protein digestion and absorption, which may result in malnutrition and hypoproteinemia. Patients may exhibit symptoms such as weight loss and edema.

5. Regulation of Water and Electrolyte Balance

During the digestive process, the pancreas also participates in the secretion and regulation of water and electrolytes. Pancreatic juice contains large amounts of bicarbonate, which neutralizes gastric acid and provides an optimal alkaline environment for digestive enzymes in the small intestine. Pancreatic diseases may impair bicarbonate secretion, leading to acid-base imbalance in the intestines, affecting normal digestive and absorptive functions, and potentially disrupting the overall water and electrolyte balance in the body.

When pancreatic disease occurs, prompt medical attention and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures are necessary to prevent further deterioration of the condition.