OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and significance of ~(13)C-Hiolein breath test in evaluating chronicpancreatitis-related exocrine insufficiency and efficacy of enzyme treatment.METHODS: The ~(13)C-Hiolein breath test was used in 8 healthy volunteers (group 1), 8 chronicpancreatitis (CP) patients without steatorrhea (group 2), and 8 CP patients with steatorrhea (group 3).To evaluate the function of pancreatic exocrine, ~(13)CO_2 was determined following ~(13)C-Hiolein diet. The~(13)C-Hiolein test was repeated in group 3 after enzyme supplement therapy.RESULTS: Administration of ~(13)C-Hiolein diet resulted in significantly higher cumulative percent dose of~(13)C recovery per 6 h (cPDR/6 h) and maximal PDR (PDR_(peak)) in the healthy controls (group 1) thanthe CP patients with steatorrhea (group 3) (11.22%±1.22% and 6.11%±0.59% vs. 2.87%±0.73%and 1.53%±0.36%, respectively, both P<0.01). In the CP patients with steatorrhea (group 3), arepeated test after enzyme supplementation therapy showed a significant elevation of both cPDR/6 h andPDR_(peak) (9.03%±0.84% and 2.33%±0.47%, both P<0.01 compared with those before enzymetreatment), but cPDR/6 h remained significantly lower than that in the healthy volunteers (group 1, P<0.05). Both cPDR and PDR_(peak) in the CP patients without steatorrhea (group 2) were similar to those inthe healthy controls (group 1, both P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The results of ~(13)C-Hiolein breath test well reflect fat metabolism status in CP patients,and the test can be used to monitor the efficacy of pancreatic enzymes therapy. OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility and significance of ~ (13) C-Hiolein breath test in evaluating chronic pancreatic-related exocrine insufficiency and efficacy of enzyme treatment. METHODS: The ~ (13) C-Hiolein breath test was used in 8 healthy volunteers group 1), 8 chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients without steatorrhea (group 2), and 8 CP patients with steatorrhea (group 3). To evaluate the function of pancreatic exocrine, ~ (13) HIOlein diet. The ~ (13) C-Hiolein test was repeated in group 3 after enzyme supplement therapy .RESULTS: Administration of ~ (13) C-Hiolein diet resulted in significantly higher cumulative percent dose ~ (13) C recovery per 6 (group 1) thanthe CP patients with steatorrhea (group 3) (11.22% ± 1.22% and 6.11% ± 0.59% vs. 2.87% ± (cPDR / 6 h) and maximal PDR 0.73% and 1.53% ± 0.36%, respectively, both P <0.01). In the CP patients with steatorrhea (group 3), arepeated test after enzyme supplementation t herapy showed a significant elevation of both cPDR / 6 h and PRD peak (9.03% ± 0.84% ​​and 2.33% ± 0.47%, both P <0.01 compared with those before enzymetreatment), but cPDR / 6 h remained significantly lower than that in (group 1, P <0.05). Both cPDR and PDR_ (peak) in the CP patients without steatorrhea (group 2) were similar to those inthe healthy controls (group 1, both P> 0.05) .CONCLUSION: The results of ~ (13) C-Hiolein breath test well reflect fat metabolism status in CP patients, and the test can be used to monitor the efficacy of pancreatic enzymes therapy.