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By Alwyn, newsgroup member and information-sponge Contents:
a.What is secretin?Secretin is a hormone that is normally produced by the duodenum as it receives the contents of the stomach, which is acidic. Secretin enters the bloodstream and induces the pancreas to produce a 'juice' consisting mainly of bicarbonate solution, which neutralises the acidity of the contents of the small intestine. The hormone is thus an essential link in a digestive 'feedback' system.A clear expanation of ths role of secretin can be seen in: Secretin Information from The Autism Research Unit (Sunderland, UK) Doctors who are investigating digestive function may occasionally inject secretin into the body in order to verify that the pancreas is producing the desired response. b.Does secretin have a role in the treatment of autism?Secretin is not an approved treatment for autism anywhere in the world. If a doctor prescribes it, then he or she is doing so without official sanction.c.How did secretin get associated with autism in the first place?In 1996, a small, severely autistic boy called Parker Beck, who was suffering from continual vomiting and diarrhoea, was brought to the University of Maryland for investigation, which included the administration of secretin. After he got home, Parker's digestive problems improved markedly, and so did his autistic symptoms.After this incident, Victoria Beck, Parker's mother, became an enthusiastic proponent of secretin as a possible cure for autism. Most importantly, she received the support of the influential Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., director of the Autism Research Institute of San Diego, California. d.Has secretin been tested for the treatment of autism?There have been seven clinical trials in all, six of which have shown it to be completely ineffective. The seventh, which is being conducted by Repligen, who are currently the sole manufacturers of the product, appears to show that it has some benefit, but these are preliminary results and should be treated with caution.www.krysalis-sparx.com/autism.htm Repligen Press Release e.Is secretin safe?
In its traditional role, secretin is as safe as any other substance administered in the course of medical investigation.
There have been questions raised about repeated administration of secretin coming from pigs (porcine secretin), which may induce an immune response to the substance, but the product currently manufactered by Repligen is synthetic human secretin and should not carry this risk.
There have been disturbing reports of seizures occurring during or after secretin infusion in patients who were not previously regarded as being at risk. Two instances of such seizures are reported in the following:g.What about homeopathic secretin?Secretin in a homeopathic preparation is more readily available, but there is no tangible evidence that it is of any benefit whatsoever. The best that can be said for it is that it is probably as safe and effective as any other homeopathic medicine. |
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