The
secretin stimulation test is the most sensitive and specific test for pancreatic function. It is usually performed using biologically derived porcine
secretin. Several shortages of
biologic porcine
secretin have occurred in the past few years. The aim of this study was to compare synthetic porcine
secretin to
biologic porcine
secretin in pancreatic function testing in subjects with
chronic pancreatitis. Twelve patients with a previously abnormal
secretin stimulation test were enrolled. After an overnight fast, each patient underwent a
secretin stimulation test on 2 consecutive days using 1 CU/kg
biologic porcine
secretin or 0.2 [microg/kg synthetic porcine
secretin in a randomized fashion. The peak
bicarbonate concentration in duodenal juice was used as a measure of pancreatic function. The peak
bicarbonate concentration (mean +/- SD) obtained by using
biologic porcine
secretin and synthetic porcine
secretin were 70 +/- 25 mEq/L and 68 +/- 31 mEq/L, respectively (p = 0.58, paired t test; R = 0.964). The accuracy of synthetic porcine
secretin in diagnosing
pancreatic insufficiency was 100% when compared with
biologic porcine
secretin. We conclude that synthetic porcine
secretin is highly accurate and safe in pancreatic function testing. The 100% purity, excellent diagnostic accuracy, and ready availability make synthetic porcine
secretin an attractive choice for
secretin stimulation testing.