Cholecystokinin (CCK) in the amino acid uptake and enzyme protein secretion by the pancreas in humans

Abstract

Activation of type A receptors by CCK or cerulein is known to stimulate pancreatic enzyme secretion, but its role in the amino acid (AA) consumption and enzyme synthesis remains unclear. In our study, we used loxiglumide, a potent CCK-A-receptor antagonist, to investigate the role of CCK-A receptors in pancreatic consumption of circulating AAs and enzyme secretion. Five healthy male volunteers were intubated with double-lumen duodenal tube, and duodenal aspirates were collected during 60-min basal periods and then during pancreatic stimulation with iv infusion of secretion (80 pmol/kg/h) plus cerulein (50 pmol/kg/h) during three consecutive 30-min periods. The same procedure was repeated, but secretin-cerulein infusion was combined with a constant dose of loxiglumide (20 mumol/kg/h). The volume and outputs of HCO3-, protein and enzymes (amylase and trypsin) in duodenal aspirates and gallbladder volume (by sonography) were determined at 30-min intervals. Plasma samples were drawn for total plasma AA assay by ninhydrin method to assess the pancreatic uptake of free AAs. Infusion of secretin plus cerulein caused a several-fold increase in the volume of duodenal aspirate and the outputs of HCO3-, protein, and enzymes. During those periods, plasma AA level decreased from initially 2.20 +/- 0.3 mmol/L to 1.09 +/- 0.3 mmol/L (p < 0.01) and the gallbladder volume from initially 28 +/- 8 mL to 2 +/- 0.4 mL. This increase in pancreatic secretory outputs was accompanied by significant increments in plasma insulin, glucagon, PP, and somatostatin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)