Abstract
Using-casein as a substrate, the proteolytic activity of neutralized gastric juice from patients with sprue was determined. The degree of activity was measured by progressive increases in total filtrable N following incubation. In 5 patients with sprue in relapse there was found a marked reduction below the normal controls in proteolytic activity, while in 6 sprue patients in remission the proteolytic activity was in the normal range. Apparently a defect in gastric digestion may be important to the occurrence of macrocytic anemia in sprue.
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