The authors investigated in patients with renal disease the lactoferrin content in duodenal aspirate. The aspirate was obtained after previous stimulation of the pancreas with pancreozymin. Lactoferrin estimation is described in the literature as a sensitive examination of changes of exocrine pancreatic secretion. The authors provided evidence that by assessing lactoferrin it is possible to detect initial changes of reduced exocrine pancreatic capacity already in subjects who are on the waiting list of chronic intermittent haemodialyzation programmes (CHIDP); maximum increase of the lactoferrin content in the duodenal aspirate corresponds with the severity of chronic renal failure. Transplantation of the kidneys leads to normalization of the amount of lactoferrin secreted by the pancreas which is evidence of normalization of pancreatic secretion. In patients with chronic renal failure lactoferrin is a sensitive marker of developing uraemic pancreatopathy.

Keywords: Humans; Intestinal Secretions /chemistry/; Kidney Failure, Chronic /complications/; Kidney Transplantation; Lactoferrin /analysis/; Pancreatic Diseases /complications/; Renal Dialysis