Dependency of Glucose Homeostasis on Pancreatic Enzymes with Special Reference to Amylase; Study on Healthy and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficient Pigs

We aimed to highlight the roles of the pancreatic enzymes, with special reference to amylase, on glucose homeostasis in healthy pigs and in pigs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Healthy pigs fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were subjected to mixed meal tolerance tests (MMTTs) and pancreatic enzyme treatments, and then blood glucose and insulin concentrations were determined. Following the development of surgically induced EPI, the same experiment was then repeated on the pigs. A significantly lower net postprandial glycemic response was observed in pigs with EPI compared to healthy pigs. Net postprandial glycemic response was not affected by enzyme supplementation during the MMTTs in healthy pigs, but it was affected by adaptation to macronutrient components of the MMTT test meal, both in healthy and EPI pigs. Net postprandial glycemic response and insulin release curves reached higher levels in Creon-treated EPI pigs compared to amylase-treated EPI pigs. In summary, glucose homeostasis mechanisms in EPI pigs were downregulated compared to healthy animals. Creon supplementation during EPI significantly increased postprandial glucose level, while amylase treatment had the opposite effect, which could be explained by its metabolic actions.