Effect of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons on excretion of protein and electrolytes by rat pancreas

Abstract

Treatment of rats with CCl 4 or related chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) causes an increase in bile duct-pancreatic fluid (BDPF) flow. As a step toward understanding the mechanism, the electrolyte and protein concentrations of BDPF were compared in rats 24 hr after treatment with corn oil (control), CCl 4, chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,1-dichloroethylene, 1,1,2-trichloroethylene, or 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethylene. In all CAH treatment groups, BDPF flow was greater than control. For most CAHs tested, the concentration of protein in BDPF was less than control, sodium and bicarbonate concentrations were similar to control, and potassium and chloride concentrations were greater than control. BDPF protein concentration in rats infused with secretion (0.5 units/min, iv) was similar or less than that of CAH-treated rats. BDPF chloride and bicarbonate concentrations were lower and higher, respectively, in the secretin groups as compared to CAH treatment groups at similar rates of BDPF flow. In CCl 4- and CHCl 3-treated rats, enhanced BDPF flow was not blocked by atropine sulfate (5 mg/kg, iv) and was not affected by feeding or fasting during the 24-hr post-treatment period. Thus, CAHs alter BDPF protein and electrolyte concentrations, in addition to BDPF flow, by a mechanism that does not appear to involve secretin or cholinergic stimulation.