Alterations in duodenal disaccharidases in chronic smokers.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of smoking on activity of intestinal disaccharidases. METHODS: The study was conducted on patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia who were smokers (n=20) or non-smokers (n=20). Smokers were classified according to smoking index into mild, moderate and heavy smokers. Biopsy specimens were taken from the second part of the duodenum at endoscopy and examined histologically, and for disaccharidase (lactase, sucrase, maltase and trehalase) activities. RESULTS: Mean duration of symptoms was more in smokers than in non-smokers. None of the smokers had endoscopic evidence of duodenal inflammation. Lactase and trehalase levels were significantly decreased in smokers. There was no difference in enzyme levels between mild smokers and non-smokers. Decreased lactase, maltase and trehalase activities were observed in moderate smokers compared to mild smokers. Duration of symptoms had no relation to enzyme activities. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal disaccharidase levels are diminished by smoking.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1.

A 38-year-old man with multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1 (Wermer's syndrome) is described. The patient had refractory duodenal ulcers and raised basal acid output (55 mmol/hour) and fasting serum gastrin (1190 pg/ml). Abdominal CT scan revealed mass lesions (gastrinomas) in the head of the pancreas. He also had persistent hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, right ureteric calculi, increased urinary calcium and phosphorus and enlarged parathyroids on ultrasound and CT of the neck. Parathormone level was raised, but the pituitary gland was normal on CT scan of the head. The patient was managed initially with histamine H2-blockers, omeprazole and parathyroidectomy; enucleation of the tumor masses in the pancreas was done subsequently.