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Fat-soluble vitamin concentration in chronic alcohol-induced pancreatitis

Relationship with steatorrhea

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Abstract

In order to study the fat-soluble vitamin concentration of patients with chronic alcohol-induced pancreatitis (CAIP) we measured vitamins A and E, total lipids, and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in the plasma of 44 patients with CAIP and 83 controls (44 healthy controls; 39 Crohn's disease patients). Mean plasma vitamin E and vitamin E/total lipid ratio were significantly lower in CAIP when compared with either control or Crohn's disease groups. A low vitamin E/total lipid ratio was found in 75% of CAIP patients (91% with steatorrhea) and a ratio less than 1.0 was virtually 100% predictive of steatorrhea. The mean plasma vitamin A level for the CAIP group was significantly lower (overall 16%, 38% with steatorrhea) than in controls. Patients with CAIP show subnormal plasma levels vitamin E more often as compared to vitamin A. Further, the plasma vitamin E/total lipids ratio may be a sensitive and practical means in the detection and follow-up of steatorrhea in these patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Gastrointestinal Clinic, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town

    F. Marotta MD, PhD, D. Labadarios MD, PhD, L. Frazer, A. Girdwood MB, ChB (FRCP) & I. N. Marks BSc (FRCP, FACG)

  2. Department of Human Nutrition, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa

    F. Marotta MD, PhD, D. Labadarios MD, PhD, L. Frazer, A. Girdwood MB, ChB (FRCP) & I. N. Marks BSc (FRCP, FACG)

Authors
  1. F. Marotta MD, PhD
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  2. D. Labadarios MD, PhD
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  3. L. Frazer
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  4. A. Girdwood MB, ChB
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  5. I. N. Marks BSc
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Additional information

This work was accepted for oral presentation at the XXII Meeting of the European Pancreatic Club, September 16–18, 1991, Lund, Sweden.

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Marotta, F., Labadarios, D., Frazer, L. et al. Fat-soluble vitamin concentration in chronic alcohol-induced pancreatitis. Digest Dis Sci 39, 993–998 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02087550

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02087550

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