Secretin
Secretin is an FDA-approved gastrointestinal hormone in the Secretin Receptor Agonist class. Secretin is released by duodenal S cells in response to acid and binds the secretin receptor on pancreatic ductal cells, raising cyclic AMP and driving bicarbonate-rich fluid secretion that neutralises gastric acid.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 1393-25-5
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 3056.4 g/mol
- Half-life
- —
- FDA status
- Approved
- Administration Route
- intravenous
- Frequency
- —
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
Research summary
Synthetic human 27-amino-acid gastrointestinal hormone approved as a diagnostic agent to stimulate pancreatic secretions, to stimulate gastrin secretion in suspected gastrinoma, and to aid identification of the ampulla during endoscopy.
Peptide Library's Secretin profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
- —
- Frequency
- —
- Cycle
- —
- Administration Route
- intravenous
- Reconstitution Guide
- —
Sequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C130H219N43O42 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 3056.4 g/mol |
| CAS number | 1393-25-5 |
| PubChem CID | 16129665 |
| FDA UNII | 88C55N56UU |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
Secretin is released by duodenal S cells in response to acid and binds the secretin receptor on pancreatic ductal cells, raising cyclic AMP and driving bicarbonate-rich fluid secretion that neutralises gastric acid. In gastrinoma the normal inhibitory response is reversed and gastrin paradoxically rises, which is what the diagnostic test detects.
Studies
- Secretin modulates appetite via brown adipose tissue-brain axis
- A phase II trial of human secretin infusion for refractory type B pain in chronic pancreatitis
- Pleiotropic Effects of Secretin: A Potential Drug Candidate in the Treatment of Obesity?
- Functional Role of the Secretin/Secretin Receptor Signaling During Cholestatic Liver Injury
- Distribution and Functional Implication of Secretin in Multiple Brain Regions
Regulatory & research status
Secretin is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.
| FDA status | Approved |
|---|---|
| Research status | Approved product (see FDA status) |
| Availability | Prescription-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | FDA-Approved |
Benefits
—
Potential Side Effects
No side effects listed yet for this entry.
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Secretin: frequently asked questions
What is Secretin?
Synthetic human 27-amino-acid gastrointestinal hormone approved as a diagnostic agent to stimulate pancreatic secretions, to stimulate gastrin secretion in suspected gastrinoma, and to aid identification of the ampulla during endoscopy.
How does Secretin work?
Secretin is released by duodenal S cells in response to acid and binds the secretin receptor on pancreatic ductal cells, raising cyclic AMP and driving bicarbonate-rich fluid secretion that neutralises gastric acid. In gastrinoma the normal inhibitory response is reversed and gastrin paradoxically rises, which is what the diagnostic test detects.
Is Secretin FDA approved?
Yes. Secretin is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.
What peptides are similar to Secretin?
Compounds most often compared with Secretin include Teduglutide, Linaclotide, Plecanatide and Larazotide. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- Secretin modulates appetite via brown adipose tissue-brain axis — Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 2023External reference
- A phase II trial of human secretin infusion for refractory type B pain in chronic pancreatitis — Pancreas, 2013External reference
- Pleiotropic Effects of Secretin: A Potential Drug Candidate in the Treatment of Obesity? — Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 2021External reference
- Functional Role of the Secretin/Secretin Receptor Signaling During Cholestatic Liver Injury — Hepatology, 2020External reference
- Distribution and Functional Implication of Secretin in Multiple Brain Regions — J Mol Neurosci, 2019External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 1
This Secretin profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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