Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal

Dig Dis Sci. 1999 Jul;44(7):1317-21. doi: 10.1023/a:1026675012864.

Abstract

In a double-blind, crossover study, we determined whether microencapusulated pancreatic enzymes reduce postprandial symptoms experienced by healthy volunteers after ingestion of a high calorie, high fat meal. At 7 AM, 18 subjects ingested 185 g of cookies (1196 calories and 72 g of fat) with three pancrelipase capsules or a placebo. The severity of gastrointestinal symptoms and flatus passages were recorded for 15-17 hr, and end-alveolar samples were obtained hourly for 10 hr. Ingestion of pancreatic supplements was associated with a significant (P = 0.049) reduction in bloating over the entire recording period, and with significant reductions in bloating, gas, and fullness during the dinner to bedtime period. Pancreatic supplements had no significant effect on breath H2 or CH4 concentration. The finding that pancreatic supplements reduce postprandial symptoms in healthy subjects suggests that these supplements also might be beneficial in irritable bowel syndrome.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Breath Tests
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dietary Fats / metabolism*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Compounding
  • Dyspepsia / etiology
  • Dyspepsia / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipase / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Pancrelipase
  • Postprandial Period / drug effects

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Pancreatic Extracts
  • Pancrelipase
  • Lipase