Secretin
Evidence: CEvidence: BGrade C — Applies to native Secretin's own standalone human physiology literature outside of the ChiRhoStim diagnostic-testing context, which this review found comparatively thin. The large majority of controlled human secretin exposure documented in the modern literature occurs within the ChiRhoStim diagnostic-use programme (graded separately as a related programme) or within the secretin-autism trial literature (which is negative evidence for an autism-treatment claim, not supporting evidence for any efficacy claim)..
Grade B — ChiRhoStim (human secretin) diagnostic-use clinical and regulatory programme.
ChiRhoStim is confirmed by its official FDA label to have an amino-acid sequence identical to natural human secretin (FORM_SPECIFIC_EXACT_SEQUENCE). Its approved diagnostic indications (pancreatic exocrine function testing, gastrinoma diagnosis, aiding ERCP/endoscopic cannulation) are FDA-regulated, product-specific facts and must not be read as approval of secretin as a therapeutic agent for any indication, including autism spectrum disorder -- see the separate negative autism-trial evidence inventory below.
Gastrointestinal / Gut-Hormone Signaling
Evidence Snapshot
What this grade covers
Applies to native Secretin's own standalone human physiology literature outside of the ChiRhoStim diagnostic-testing context, which this review found comparatively thin. The large majority of controlled human secretin exposure documented in the modern literature occurs within the ChiRhoStim diagnostic-use programme (graded separately as a related programme) or within the secretin-autism trial literature (which is negative evidence for an autism-treatment claim, not supporting evidence for any efficacy claim).
Regulatory Context
ChiRhoStim (synthetic human secretin) is FDA-approved as a diagnostic agent for pancreatic exocrine function testing, gastrinoma diagnosis, and aiding endoscopic cannulation procedures. This diagnostic approval does not extend to any therapeutic use of secretin, including autism spectrum disorder, for which controlled trials have found no evidence of benefit.
Research Takeaway
ChiRhoStim (synthetic human secretin) has an amino-acid sequence identical to natural human Secretin, confirmed by its official FDA label.
Evidence boundary: Sequence identity does not mean ChiRhoStim's approval, dosing, or product-specific safety data applies to secretin as a general therapeutic concept. Do not call ChiRhoStim 'sequence-modified.'
See all 4 evidence claims →Quick Summary
Secretin is a digestive hormone. ChiRhoStim, a synthetic version with the exact same amino-acid sequence as natural human secretin, is FDA-approved as a diagnostic agent for testing pancreatic function. Secretin also has a notable scientific history as a proposed autism treatment in the late 1990s -- a hypothesis that sixteen randomized controlled trials and a Cochrane systematic review have since found no evidence to support.
Mechanism & Research Overview
Secretin is a digestive hormone. ChiRhoStim, a synthetic version with the exact same amino-acid sequence as natural human secretin, is FDA-approved as a diagnostic agent for testing pancreatic function. Secretin also has a notable scientific history as a proposed autism treatment in the late 1990s -- a hypothesis that sixteen randomized controlled trials and a Cochrane systematic review have since found no evidence to support.
Evidence Claims
Individual scientific statements drawn from the sources cited below, each shown with the specific evidence boundary that statement does not establish.
Supported
ChiRhoStim (synthetic human secretin) has an amino-acid sequence identical to natural human Secretin, confirmed by its official FDA label.
Does not establish
Evidence boundary: Sequence identity does not mean ChiRhoStim's approval, dosing, or product-specific safety data applies to secretin as a general therapeutic concept. Do not call ChiRhoStim 'sequence-modified.'
Sources: FDA Label / DailyMed Record for CHIRHOSTIM (Secretin, Synthetic Human)
Supported
ChiRhoStim is FDA-approved (since April 2004) as a diagnostic agent for pancreatic exocrine function testing, gastrinoma diagnosis, and aiding endoscopic cannulation of the pancreatic/bile ducts.
Does not establish
Evidence boundary: This is a ChiRhoStim-product-specific regulatory fact and does not constitute approval of secretin as a therapeutic drug for any disease, including autism spectrum disorder.
Sources: FDA Label / DailyMed Record for CHIRHOSTIM (Secretin, Synthetic Human)
Supported
Sixteen randomized controlled trials involving more than 900 children with autism spectrum disorder, reviewed in a 2012 Cochrane systematic review, found no evidence that single- or multiple-dose intravenous secretin is an effective treatment for autism spectrum disorder.
Does not establish
Evidence boundary: This is a negative efficacy finding for a therapeutic-use claim; it does not affect ChiRhoStim's separate, unrelated diagnostic-use approval. Never frame this history as ongoing promising research; never imply efficacy for autism.
Sources: Intravenous Secretin for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD); Secretin and Autism: A Two-Part Clinical Investigation; Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Secretin: Effects on Aberrant Behavior in Children with Autism; Multiple Doses of Secretin in the Treatment of Autism: A Controlled Study; A Systematic Review of Secretin for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Supported
Secretin's FDA-approved diagnostic use (via ChiRhoStim) for pancreatic-function testing is scientifically and regulatorily distinct from the historical, now-disproven hypothesis that secretin could treat autism spectrum disorder.
Does not establish
Evidence boundary: Never blend these two evidence bodies into one undifferentiated 'secretin is FDA-approved and studied' statement.
Sources: FDA Label / DailyMed Record for CHIRHOSTIM (Secretin, Synthetic Human); Intravenous Secretin for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
Safety & Evidence Limitations
Considerations reported in the sources cited on this page — not a complete list of every possible risk, and not medical advice.
Higher-Priority Safety Consideration
An authoritative, consistent body of negative evidence (16 RCTs, >900 children, Cochrane-reviewed) found no benefit. This is included as a safety/messaging priority given documented historical public interest in secretin as an unproven autism treatment.Safety Consideration
ChiRhoStim's FDA approval and clinical evidence are for diagnostic testing only, not for treating any disease. This distinction must not be blurred.Safety Consideration
Outside of the ChiRhoStim diagnostic-testing programme and the negative autism-trial literature, this review found limited independent modern human physiology literature specific to native secretin.
Research Areas Being Studied
Research areas discussed on this page reflect the Gastrointestinal / Gut-Hormone Signaling category and the sources cited below.
Findings Reported in Studies
Educational summary only — reported in cited studies, not a claim of proven benefit.
- Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Secretin: Effects on Aberrant Behavior in Children with Autism (2002):
- Multiple Doses of Secretin in the Treatment of Autism: A Controlled Study (2002):
- Secretin and Autism: A Two-Part Clinical Investigation (2000):
Study Tables by Evidence Type
Human Studies & Clinical Data
| Title | Year | Population / Model | Dose / Duration / Finding | Safety Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Secretin: Effects on Aberrant Behavior in Children with Autism | 2002 | Secretin may not be an effective treatment option. | Negative finding. | ||
| Multiple Doses of Secretin in the Treatment of Autism: A Controlled Study | 2002 | Multiple doses of secretin did not produce any symptomatic improvement. | Negative finding. | ||
| Secretin and Autism: A Two-Part Clinical Investigation | 2000 | Secretin produced few clinically meaningful changes when compared to children given placebo injections. | Negative finding; must never be framed as supporting autism efficacy. |
Animal / Cell / Preclinical Data
No Animal / Cell / Preclinical Data Listed Yet
This section will be updated as sources are added.
Regulatory Documents & Official Trial Registries
| Title | Year | Population / Model | Dose / Duration / Finding | Safety Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDA Label / DailyMed Record for CHIRHOSTIM (Secretin, Synthetic Human) | 2004 | ChiRhoStim (synthetic human secretin) has an amino-acid sequence identical to natural human secretin (27 residues: His-Ser-Asp-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Glu-Leu-Ser-Arg-Leu-Arg-Glu-Gly-Ala-Arg-Leu-Gln-Arg-Leu-Leu-Gln-Gly-Leu-Val-NH2), confirmed by its official FDA label. FDA-approved since April 2004 for pancreatic exocrine function testing, gastrinoma diagnosis, and aiding endoscopic cannulation of the pancreatic/bile ducts. | This diagnostic approval is ChiRhoStim-product-specific and does NOT establish secretin as an approved therapeutic agent for any indication, including autism spectrum disorder. | No source link available |
Review Articles / Secondary Sources
| Title | Year | Population / Model | Dose / Duration / Finding | Safety Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intravenous Secretin for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) | 2012 | 16 RCTs, >900 children with ASD | There is no evidence that single or multiple dose intravenous secretin is effective and as such currently it should not be recommended or administered as a treatment for ASD. | Authoritative negative-evidence Cochrane systematic review. | |
| A Systematic Review of Secretin for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders | 2011 | There is clear evidence that secretin lacks benefit as an autism treatment. | Systematic review, negative finding. |
Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice
Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice
Reported dosing patterns are included for educational context only. They are self-reported, unverified, not medical advice, and not instructions for human use. Community-submitted patterns are not yet available in this Phase 1 prototype; this section is a placeholder reserved for moderated, aggregated community data.
Lab Markers to Discuss With a Clinician
Educational topics only — not self-monitoring instructions.
FAQ
Disclaimer
Educational information only. This page summarizes published human research and official regulatory information about secretin and does not constitute medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or dosing guidance.
Educational use only. This content is provided for informational and research-summary purposes only. It is not medical advice, not a treatment recommendation, not a dosing guide, and not a substitute for care from a licensed medical professional. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or mitigate disease. Reported dosing patterns, when shown elsewhere on the site, must be labeled either as Study / Trial Dosing or Anecdotal Reported Patterns — Not Medical Advice. Community reports are self-reported, unverified, and not scientific proof.
Community-reported experiences, once enabled, must be displayed only as moderated, anonymized, or aggregated data. They are anecdotal, self-reported, unverified, and should never be presented as proof of safety, efficacy, or expected results.
Content status: Published. Last updated 2026-08-26.
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