THE PREPARATION OF PANCREATIC TISSUE EXTRACTS REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF FATS-PRIMARILY TRIGLYCERIDES-FROM CRUDE TISSUE.

THE PREPARATION OF PANCREATIC TISSUE EXTRACTS REQUIRES THE REMOVAL OF FATS-PRIMARILY TRIGLYCERIDES-FROM CRUDE TISSUE. SUCH EXTRACTED PANCREATIC TISSUE IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN TREATING CYSTIC FIBROSIS PATIENTS WHO SUFFER FROM PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY. IN THE PAST, A VARIETY OF ORGANICSOLVENTS HAVE BEEN USED TO EXTRACT FATS FROM CRUDE TISSUE. THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP A NEW METHODOLOGY USING SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE TO REMOVE THE FATS FROM CRUDE TISSUE. UNDER SUPERCRITICAL CONDITIONS, CARBON DIOXIDE WILL FUNCTION AS A SOLVENT TO REMOVE TRIGLYCERIDES FROM CRUDE TISSUE WITHOUT LEAVING ANY SOLVENT RESIDUE. A SUCCESSFUL EXTRACTION METHODOLOGY SHOULD GIVE A HIGHER QUALITY OF EXTRACTED PANCREATIC TISSUE THAN IS NOW POSSIBLE.THE GOAL OF THE PHASE I STUDY IS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT PANCREATIC TISSUE TREATED BY SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE RETAINS EQUIVALENT, IF NOT GREATER, ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY COMPARED TO PRESENT COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS. PHASE II STUDIES WOULD INVOLVE CLINICAL TRIALS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS PATIENTS.