Pancreatic cholera. Sudies on tumoral secretions and pathophysiology of diarrhea.

Tumoral secretions and pathophysiology of diarrhea were studied in 1 patient with pancreatic cholera. High concentrations of vasoactive intestinal peptide were found in both systemic blood and tumoral extracts, together with increased plasma levels of calcitonin and protaglandins E and Falpha. Gastric inhibitory peptide and gastrointestinal and pancreatic hormones were absent from the tumor, except for small amounts of glucagon, and their blood levels were normal. Decreased basal but normal pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion, normal basal and secretin-stimulated pancreatic secretion, increased volume of gallbladder bile with high bicarbonate, and low bile salt concentrations were observed, but the electrolyte content and flow rate of fluid passing the duodenojejunal junction were within normal limits. Small intestine was found to be the origin of the water and electrolyte fasting losses. Jejunum was the site of bicarbonate secretion. Jejunal glucose and leucine-stimulated water and sodium transports were also strikingly decreased, whereas the absorption rates of the sugar and amino acid were normal. Colon reabsorbed high amounts of water and sodium but increased potassium losses. Biological effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide may explain most of the patient's upper digestive secretion abnormalities and small intestinal function impairments, whereas secondary aldosteronism might explain the modified colonic function.