Vnitr Lek 2025, 71(2):E1-E5 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2025.022

Possible clinical interactions beteween the exocrine and endocrine pankreas functions

David Solil^{1, 2}, Petr Dítě^{1, 2, 4}, Marie Přecechtělová¹, Arnošt Martínek^{3, 4}, Magda Uvírová⁵, Bohuslav Kianička⁶

¹ Interní gastroenterologická klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Masarykova univerzita, Brno

² Lékařská fakulta Masarykovy univerzity, Brno

³ Interní kardiologická klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Ostravské univerzity, Ostrava

⁴ Lékařská fakulta Ostravské univerzity, Ostrava

⁵ UCB-CGB Laboratoř Ostrava

⁶ II. interní klinika, Fakultní nemocnice u sv. Anny, Brno

Pancreas is a vital organ fulfilling both exocrine and endocrine functions. The exocrine part is responsible for the production of digestive enzymes that are released into duodenum, while the endocrine part includes islets of Langerhans cells that produce hormones such as insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. Although these two parts are functionally distinct, there is a constant interaction between them. Disruption of this pathway can lead to a development of various diseases. Tumors or inflammation of the pancreas, trauma and surgery can lead to a secondary diabetes. If the insult simultaneously damages the acini and pancreatic islets, both exocrine and endocrine insufficiency will develop. Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is very common in patients with diabetes, yet little is known about the association between these two units. The aim of this review article is to provide an overview of a pancreatic physiology, to summarize the pathophysiology and diagnostics of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and to focus on a possible relationships between exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus, pankreas physiology, interactions, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic exokrine insufficiency, pancreatic endocrine insufficiency.

Accepted: March 18, 2025; Published: March 27, 2025  Show citation