Studies on pancreatic stones. I. In vitro dissolution.

To determine the solubility of pancreatic stones, in vitro experiments were performed by using the anaerobic percolation method. During steady-state conditions an inverse relationship between size and solubility in 150 mM NaCl was observed. The effects of several solvents on pancreatic stones solubility were studied: albumin induced a concentration-dependent increase, while bicarbonate induced a concentration-dependent decrease. Citrate dramatically increased the solubility of pancreatic stones, an increase was not antagonized by adding bicarbonate. Total in vitro dissolution of 50 mg pancreatic stones was attempted by percolating 150 mM NaCl or 3.9 mM citrate, a concentration which can be reached in pancreatic juice during intraduodenal infusion of citrate. Extrapolated time of total dissolution was 60 days with NaCl percolation, while actual time with citrate percolation was 25 days. The potential usefulness of citrate treatment of chronic calcified pancreatitis is discussed.