Secretin is a hormone produced in the small intestine that plays an important role in digestion. It is a polypeptide hormone that is secreted by the duodenum in response to the presence of acid or fat in the duodenal lumen. It stimulates the pancreas and gallbladder to release digestive juices and also increases bicarbonate production in the pancreas. Secretin has also been shown to have a role in the regulation of gastric acid secretion, gastric motility and intestinal absorption of nutrients.
Secretin was first described in 1902 by Bayliss and Starling who identified it as the hormone responsible for stimulating the secretion of pancreatic juice. Since then, several studies have confirmed its role in digestion and revealed its physiological effects. For example, studies have demonstrated that secretin stimulates the release of bicarbonate and other digestive enzymes from the pancreas, as well as the production of cholecystokinin (CCK) from the duodenum. Secretin has also been shown to regulate gastric acid secretion, gastric motility and intestinal absorption of nutrients.
Secretin has been studied in both humans and animals. In humans, secretin has been used to treat a number of digestive diseases, including pancreatic insufficiency, chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis. It has also been studied in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders, with some studies suggesting that secretin may be beneficial in the treatment of autism.
In animals, secretin has been used to study digestion and to investigate the effects of certain drugs on digestive processes. For example, studies have used secretin to examine the effects of certain drugs on gastric secretion, gastric motility and intestinal absorption of nutrients.
Overall, secretin is an important hormone involved in the regulation of digestion. It stimulates the release of digestive juices, regulates gastric acid secretion and gastric motility, and plays a role in the absorption of nutrients. Its therapeutic potential for treating digestive disorders is currently being explored, and its use in the context of neurodevelopmental disorders is also being studied.
References
Bayliss, W. M., & Starling, E. H. (1902). On the chemical correlations of the functions of the pancreas. The Journal of Physiology, 28(3), 325-353.
Li, J. P., & Go, V. L. W. (2017). Secretin: A multifunctional hormone in digestion and beyond. Gastroenterology, 152(8), 1813-1826.
Nassar, M., Johnson, A., & Kamal, S. (2012). Therapeutic potential of secretin in digestive diseases. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 57(12), 3146-3153.
Parks, T., & Ziegler, T. (2013). Review of secretin in the treatment of autism. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 34(4), 281-287.
Wang, Y., Wang, B., & Li, Y. (2015). Secretin and its role in digestive physiology. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 10(2), 663-668.