242 Effects of experimentally induced pancreatic exocrine insufficiency on digestibility of electrolytes (praecaecal/total tract), urinary electrolyte content and acid-base status in young pigs – used as a model for children

Abstract

Objectives Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) affects absorption of electrolytes. Formation of soaps (due to reduced digestibility of fat) and higher amount of digesta resulting in higher losses of faecal water causes increased losses of electrolytes. As CF patients often suffer from PEI this aspect is of interest. Methods 14 piglets were used in this study. Pancreatic duct ligation (PL) was performed in 5 pigs at the age of 7 weeks (PL7) while 4 pigs underwent surgery at an age of 16 weeks (PL16). None of the PL-pigs received enzyme therapy. A complete diet was fed. All animals were euthanized at the age of 26 weeks. Results Result are given as mean±SD in the table. Controls PL7 PL16 Na digestibility (%) ileal −303±122 −644±271 −377±137 faecal 67.7±1.02 12.2±47.3 10.8±12.3 K digestibility (%) ileal 77.3±1.56 63.4±13.6 73.0±8.03 faecal 78.2±3.68 53.6±13.7 53.6±6.88 pH of urine 8.03±0.139 5.96±0.530 6.67±1.12 Urine net base excretion (UNBE) −10.5±7.55 150±29.8 −49.5±48.2 Na (mmol/L urine) 36.1±20.8 15.2±10.3 14.7±14.7 K (mmol/L urine) 126±56.2 151±48.1 122±98.2 Na:K in urine 0.326±0.166 0.114±0.081 0.170±0.121 Conclusion PEI caused a marked reduction of digestibility of Na and K. In some animals negative digestibility rates were observed. The lower urinary pH and UNBE in PL-pigs indicate massive changes in acid–base status, the lower ratio of Na:K in urine implicates that renal excretion is minimised in PL-pigs to compensate for the lower Na digestibility. This study clearly shows the manifold effects of PEI on electrolyte and acid–base status.