secretin

Secretin is a peptide hormone produced primarily by S cells in the duodenum. As a drug, it is used diagnostically to stimulate pancreatic and gastric secretions for the evaluation of exocrine pancreatic function, diagnosis of gastrinoma (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome), and identification of abnormalities in the bile and pancreatic ducts during endoscopic procedures. Secretin acts as an agonist at G-protein coupled secretin receptor found on various tissues including the pancreas, stomach, liver, and colon. Its main mechanism is to stimulate secretion of bicarbonate-rich fluid from the pancreas to neutralize gastric acid in the duodenum; it also inhibits gastric acid secretion by parietal cells through multiple pathways. Secretin can be derived from porcine sources or produced synthetically (recombinant human). It has been explored for other indications such as autism and schizophrenia but lacks evidence for efficacy outside its approved diagnostic uses.

Brand names

ChiRhoStim

Other names

secretin humansynthetic human secretinporcine secretin