Overview

Secretin is a hormone produced by the digestive tract. It is used as a medicine. Some secretin products are taken from pigs. Others are made in the laboratory.

Secretin is used to treat autism. Two dosage forms are available. Secretin is either placed under the tongue or given by IV (intravenously).

Secretin is also given by IV for pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), pancreatitis and other pancreas problems, overactive parathyroid gland, duodenal ulcers, bleeding in the stomach and intestines, and heart failure. It is also given by IV for preventing stress ulcers and for diagnosing a rare digestive tract condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Hormone

Primary Functions:

Autism

Also Known As:

Oxykrinin, Secretina, Sécrétine.

How Does It Work?

Secretin is a hormone that is produced by the digestive tract. It stimulates the release of bicarbonate and water from the pancreas to aid digestion.

Uses

• Autism and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).The use of secretin for autism is controversial. Some people have reported they have seen an improvement in stomach and intestinal function, social and behavioral abilities, and language skills after single intravenous doses of secretin. But most of the evidence shows that secretin, both lab-made and derived from pigs, doesn’t improve autism or pervasive developmental disorder when given in single or repeated doses.

Recommended Dosing

The appropriate dose of secretin depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for secretin. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Secretin Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is secretin and what is its function?

Function. Secretin has 3 main functions: regulation of gastric acid, regulation of pancreatic bicarbonate, and osmoregulation. The major physiological actions of secretin are stimulation of pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate secretion. S cells in the small intestine emit secretin.

What are the effects of secretin?

Secretin helps regulate the pH of the duodenum by (1) inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid from the parietal cells of the stomach and (2) stimulating the production of bicarbonate from the ductal cells of the pancreas.

What stimulates secretin release?

Secretin release is mainly stimulated by gastric acid delivered into the duodenal lumen. In addition, secretin is released by digested products of fat and protein. In canine duodenal mucosal explants, somatostatin did not alter the basal secretion of secretin but inhibited secretin secretion stimulated by pH 4.5 [5].

Where is secretin produced?

Secretin is a 27–amino acid peptide that is synthesized predominantly in the brain and gastrointestinal tract. In the gut, secretin is produced by the enteroendocrine S cell in the duodenum and proximal jejunum. Gastric acid, bile salts, and luminal nutrients stimulate secretin, and somatostatin inhibits its release.

Does secretin increase pH?

In humans, the secretin peptide is encoded by the SCT gene. Secretin helps regulate the pH of the duodenum by (1) inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid from the parietal cells of the stomach and (2) stimulating the production of bicarbonate from the ductal cells of the pancreas.

Does secretin inhibit gastric emptying?

Secretin stimulates pancreatic and biliary bicarbonate and water secretion, and it may regulate pancreatic enzyme secretion. Secretin also stimulates the gastric secretion of pepsinogen and inhibits lower esophageal sphincter tone, postprandial gastric emptying, gastrin release, and gastric acid secretion.

What cells release secretin?

The major physiological actions of secretin are stimulation of pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate secretion. S cells in the small intestine emit secretin. Gastric acid stimulates secretin release, allowing movement into the duodenal lumen.

What does secretin and CCK do?

As chyme floods into the small intestine, cholecystokinin is released into blood and binds to receptors on pancreatic acinar cells, ordering them to secrete large quantities of digestive enzymes. ... The predominant effect of secretin on the pancreas is to stimulate duct cells to secrete water and bicarbonate.

Does secretin increase bile?

It is a peptide hormone produced in the S cells of the duodenum, which are located in the intestinal glands. In humans, the secretin peptide is encoded by the SCT gene. ... It also stimulates bile production by the liver; the bile emulsifies dietary fats in the duodenum so that pancreatic lipase can act upon them.

What secretin regulates?

Function. Secretin has 3 main functions: regulation of gastric acid, regulation of pancreatic bicarbonate, and osmoregulation. The major physiological actions of secretin are stimulation of pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate secretion. S cells in the small intestine emit secretin.

How is a secretin stimulation test performed?

secretin stimulation test. A test used to measure the ability of the pancreas to respond to a hormone called secretin. ... During a secretin stimulation test, a tube is inserted through the nose or throat into the stomach and small intestine. Secretin is given to the patient by injection into a vein.

How does secretin control digestive process?

In humans, the secretin peptide is encoded by the SCT gene. Secretin helps regulate the pH of the duodenum by (1) inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid from the parietal cells of the stomach and (2) stimulating the production of bicarbonate from the ductal cells of the pancreas.

Does secretin stimulate gastrin?

In contrast to its stimulation of gastrin release from gastrinoma cells, secretin has been reported not only to decrease serum gastrin concentration in normal subjects (26) but also to inhibit gastrin secretion from isolated perfused rat stomach (3).

Which part of the body secretes the hormone secretin?

Secretin, a digestive hormone secreted by the wall of the upper part of the small intestine (the duodenum) that regulates gastric acid secretion and pH levels in the duodenum.

What cell secretes CCK?

What is cholecystokinin? Cholecystokinin is produced by I-cells in the lining of the duodenum and is also released by some neurons in the brain. It acts on two types of receptors found throughout the gut and central nervous system.

What effect does secretin have on the stomach?

In humans, the secretin peptide is encoded by the SCT gene. Secretin helps regulate the pH of the duodenum by (1) inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid from the parietal cells of the stomach and (2) stimulating the production of bicarbonate from the ductal cells of the pancreas.

Is secretin an enzyme or hormone?

Secretin, a digestive hormone secreted by the wall of the upper part of the small intestine (the duodenum) that regulates gastric acid secretion and pH levels in the duodenum.

Why secretin is important in small intestine?

Secretin functions as a type of fireman: it is released in response to acid in the small intestine, and stimulates the pancreas and bile ducts to release a flood of bicarbonate base, which neutralizes the acid. Secretin is also of some historical interest, as it was the first hormone to be discovered.

What hormones does the duodenum secrete?

Secretin is in the duodenum and signals the secretion of sodium bicarbonate in the pancreas and it stimulates the secretion of bile in the liver. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is in the duodenum and stimulates the release of digestive enzymes in the pancreas and the emptying of bile from the gall bladder.

How does secretin inhibit gastrin?

Secretin also inhibits the secretion of gastrin, which triggers the initial release of hydrochloric acid into the stomach, and delays gastric emptying. Secreted by the S cells of the duodenum in response to meals and to the presence of acid in the duodenum.

Clinical Studies