Celiac Ganglionectomy and Oral Glucose Tolerance. Opposite Changes of Amylasemia and Lipasemia. Reversal of Depressed Lipasemia by Superimposed Alcohol Feeding

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present protocol was to evaluate, by means of an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the modifications of amylasemia and lipasemia in comparison with the values of a “Sham” series in two groups of rats, one subjected to CG and another with the same autonomic plexus exeresis but with superimposed alcohol feeding AF. Methods: Seventeen male Wistar rats, b.w ˜300 g were chosen. They were allocated to a “Sham” group (n=5), a CG series (n=5) and a CG plus AF (n=7). Ethanol was offered ad-libitum, (32%) for a six-month period following the CG. Previous to autopsy, an OGTT was carried out. Glycemia, amylasemia, and lipasemia values were determined. Results: Glycemia did not reveal sig. changes by CG, either alone or associated to AF. In contrast, CG, after six months, induced in blood, both basally and after an OGTT, sig. opposite enzyme activities changes in respect to “Sham.” Indeed, as amylasemia was increased, that of lipasemia was depressed. This reflects the rise of the intrapancreatic insulin tone. Its involvement is suggested by the results obtained with previous in-vitro tests, primarily the increase of insulin release by the islets of the CG rats. The rise of the intrapancreatic insulin tone is known to exert an excitatory influence on the synthesis and secretion of amylase, and, on the other, an opposite inhibitory one on lipase synthesis and secretion by the acinar cells of the pancreon units. The ethanol-induced enhancement of the intrapancreatic cholinergic tone elicits the reversal of the depressed lipasemia values. Conclusion: Celiac ganglionectomy, through its removal of restraining agents on insulin release, triggers in the OGTT a sig. augmentation of amylasemia and depression of lipasemia. In turn, the CG-induced fall of the intrapancreatic cholinergic tone, through its diminished permissive role in the insulopancreon axis, explain the finding, in the OGTT, of a sig. lipasemia depression. AF superimposed on CG elicits a sig. reversal of the depressed lipasemia. Undoubtedly, a high insulin tone enhances amylasemia and depresses lipasemia. A fall of the cholinergic tone depresses lipase secretion. AF superimposed on CG-induced descentralized intrapancreatic ganglia elicits a remarkable sig. reversal of the lipase fall.