Pancreatic polypeptide, plasma

Alphabetical Test listing

Pancreatic polypeptide, plasma-994

  
Pancreatic polypeptide, plasma
  
994
  
LAB994
  
MSO
  
HPP (Human Pancreatic Polypeptide)
Human Pancreatic Polypeptide
PP (Pancreatic Polypeptide,Plasma)
Sham Feeding Study
vagus
  
  • Detection of pancreatic endocrine tumors
  • Assessment of vagal nerve function after meal or sham feeding

Sham Feeding Study: Providers must schedule Sham Feeding studies directly with the infusion center.  The provider is responsible for providing the sham feeding protocol and test orders to the Infusion Center.  Typically, the study involves 4 orders and specimens for Pancreatic Polypeptide collected at baseline and then 30, 60, 90 minutes after sham feeding.

  

The patient should fast for 8 hours prior to sample collection

Fasting for a blood test

  
EDTA plasma
  
  
3.0 mL
  
0.5 mL
  
  • Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gently inverting 8 - 10 times to prevent clotting
  • Place specimen on wet ice and keep cold at all times following collection
  
  1. Spin
  2. Transfer plasma to a Screw cap transfer vial/tube (Mayo T914), labelled as EDTA plasma
  3. Freeze
  
  

Frozen (strict) – 90 days

Refrigerated - No

Ambient - No

 

  
3 months
  
  • Gross hemolysis
  • Gross lipemia
  
Mayo Clinic Laboratories (HPP): R-NX
  
Mo, We: 2pm
  
5 - 8 days
  

Radioimmunoassay (RIA)

  

0 - 19 years:  not established

20 - 29 years: <228 pg/mL

30 - 39 years: <249 pg/mL

40 - 49 years: <270 pg/mL

50 - 59 years: <291 pg/mL

60 - 69 years: <312 pg/mL

70 - 79 years: <332 pg/mL

≥80 years:      not established

  

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is secreted by the pancreas in response to hypoglycemia, ingestion of food, or "sham" feeding (food is chewed, but not swallowed) secondary to vagal nerve stimulation. Secretion is blocked by vagotomy or atropine.

The exact physiologic role of PP is undetermined, although the hormone is thought to be involved in exocrine pancreatic secretion and gallbladder emptying.

Markedly elevated levels are often associated with endocrine tumors of the pancreas (eg, insulinoma, glucagonoma, pancreatic polypeptide-secreting tumor of the pancreas). Patients with diabetes may also have elevated PP levels.

A lack of response to sham feeding may indicate vagal nerve damage (eg, surgery-related nerve damage, autonomic nerve disorders). Extensive pancreatic destruction (eg, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer) may also result in low basal PP levels and a lack of response to sham feeding.

  
Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) normal values increase with age (approximately 20 pg/mL per decade). Non-fasting state results in falsely elevated values. The sham feeding test is invalid if food is swallowed. Ingestion of food typically results in a significant and prolonged PP increase over baseline (typically >200 pg/mL). This test should not be requested in patients who have recently received radioisotopes, therapeutically or diagnostically, because of potential assay interference. A recommended time period before collection cannot be made because it will depend on the isotope administered, the dose given, and the clearance rate in the individual patient. Specimens will be screened for radioactivity prior to analysis. Radioactive specimens received in the laboratory will be held and assayed after the radioactivity has sufficiently decayed. This will result in a test delay.
  
83519
  
01/14/2021
  
07/20/2023
  
07/20/2023