Review

The Pancreatic Duct Ligated (Mini)pig as a Model for Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency in Man

Gregory, Peter Colin PhD; Hoffmann, Katrin PhD; Kamphues, Josef VMD; Möeler, Anne VMD

Author Information

From the *Abbott Laboratories GmbH; and †Institute for Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.

Received for publication July 29, 2015; accepted February 12, 2016.

Address correspondence to: Katrin Hoffmann, PhD, Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Freundallee 9A, 30173 Hannover, Germany (e-mail: [email protected]).

Peter Colin Gregory received honorarium in the past from Abbott Laboratories GmbH and currently for writing and reviewing of the manuscript; Katrin Hoffmann is a current scientific employee at Abbott Laboratories GmbH; Anne Mößeler receives an ongoing research grant and honorarium for consultancy from Abbott Laboratories GmbH; Josef Kamphues receives an ongoing grant from Abbott Laboratories GmbH.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Pancreas 45(9):p 1213-1226, October 2016. | DOI: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000000674

Abstract

Modern therapy of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) using pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) has largely been very effective and has greatly helped in improving the nutritional status of patients with PEI and in increasing the life expectancy in cystic fibrosis. It is believed that the use of predictable large animal models could play an important role in assessing and developing new therapies. This article reviews the pancreatic duct ligated (adult) minipig as a chronic model of total PEI, with a detailed look at the influence of PEI and response to PERT on prececal compared to fecal digestibility, to directly investigate effects on protein and starch digestion and absorption. In addition, the piglet with PEI is reviewed as a model for PEI in young patients with the aim of further improving the therapy and nutritional status of young patients with cystic fibrosis.