The influence of the splanchnic nerves on the external secretion, blood flow and electrical conductance of the cat pancreas

Abstract

1. Electrical stimulation of the cut peripheral end of the splanchnic nerves results in a biphasic change in electrical conductance measured across the tail of the pancreas. A phase of decreased conductance is followed by a more prolonged phase of increased conductance.2. Simultaneous measurements of pancreatic blood flow indicate that the phase of decreased conductance occurs as a result of vasoconstriction, whilst the phase of increased conductance is due to vasodilatation.3. The initial phase of decreased conductance and vasoconstriction is abolished by alpha-receptor blocking agents such as phenoxybenzamine and the phase of increased conductance blocked by beta-receptor blocking agents such as pronethalol.4. Short periods of electrical stimulation applied to the splanchnic nerves result in a secretion of amylase and a reduction in the volume rate of secretion.5. When the vasoconstrictor response was abolished by phenoxybenzamine, nerve stimulation still reduced the rate of secretion, suggesting that the inhibitory effect is in part due to a direct action of the secretory cells.6. After bretylium tosylate, splanchnic nerve stimulation no longer produced vasomotor changes in the pancreas and the inhibitory effect on the volume response was converted to one of augmentation, but the secretion of enzymes was unaffected.7. The secretion of amylase on splanchnic stimulation was abolished by intravenous injection of atropine, suggesting that a cholinergic mechanism is involved.8. Noradrenaline did not mobilize pancreatic enzymes.