Comparison of subcutaneous and intravenous secretin in man.

Five male patients without upper gastrointestinal disease were given secretin (Gastrointestinal Hormone Laboratories, Stockholm, Sweden), 3 units per kg intravenously on one occasion and subcutaneously on another. The pancreatic response during the 3 hr after injection was almost the same with intravenous and subcutaneous administration. The volume flow and bicarbonate output remained at nearly peak levels for 2 hr following injection of secretin by either route. In the dog the pancreatic response following intravenous secretin was more transient than the response observed in man. The subcutaneous route of administration is an effective and practical method for the injection of purified secretin in man.