Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate and Pancreatin on the Absorption of Vitamin B12and Fat in Pancreatic Insufficiency

Abstract

STEATORRHEA associated with a defective absorption of vitamin B₁₂ is a common finding in intestinal insufficiency. The observation of a patient with pancreatic steatorrhea and impaired vitamin B₁₂ absorption raised the question whether or not the acid-neutralizing power and the enzyme content of pancreatic juice might influence the absorption of vitamin B₁₂. The decreased assimilation of this vitamin could not be explained by lack of Castle's intrinsic factor or by damage of the intestinal epithelium. We therefore decided to study the influence of sodium bicarbonate and an enzyme preparation, pancreatin, on the absorption of vitamin . . .