Secretin
Secretin is a hormone found in the human body. It is secreted by the S cells of the duodenum in the Crypts of Lieberkuhn. Secretin is a 27-amino acid peptide hormone, and it is classified as a peptide hormone.
Secretion and Production
Secretin is produced in and secreted from the S cells of the duodenum in the Crypts of Lieberkuhn. Its secretion is in response to low duodenal pH due to acidic chyme. Its primary effect is to regulate the pH level of the duodenum by controlling gastric acid secretion and buffering with bicarbonate.
Secretin stimulates the secretion of bicarbonate from the liver, pancreas, and duodenum Brunner’s glands in order to buffer the incoming protons of the acidic chyme. It also enhances the effects of cholecystokinin. It is known to promote growth and maintenance of the pancreas.
Pharmacological Uses
Synthetic secretin is commonly used as an aid in diagnosing both pancreatic dysfunction and the presence of a pancreatic tumor that might become cancerous. It works by stimulating the pancreas to secrete pancreatic juice and bicarbonate that is used to measure the functioning of the pancreas.
For a period of time, researchers believed that synthetic secretin could aid in reducing the symptoms of autism. However, after lab testing was performed on autism patients, this theory was disproved.