Antisecretin Serum Research Articles

Endogenous secretin in the rat--evidence for a role as an enterogastrone but failure to influence serum calcium homeostasis.

The release of secretin into plasma by intraduodenal (id) infusion of HCl or iso-osmotic (290 mosm l-1) NaCl, and the associated changes of moderately stimulated gastric acid, serum gastrin, two calciotropic hormones, total and 45calcium (Ca), were examined in the rat. The possible role of endogenous secretin as an enterogastrone and as a mediator of the hypothesized endocrine gut-thyroid-parathyroid axis was further characterized with the aid of secretin immunoneutralization and exogenous secretion. The id-HCl-stimulated secretin, measured by a sensitive radioimmunoassay, was accompanied by a decrease in gastric acid secretion, whereas secretin blockage by anti-secretin immune serum resulted in a significant increase in acid secretion. The correlation between plasma secretin and acid output was only slight. Gastrin and Ca metabolism remained unchanged during secretin stimulation. Intravenous synthetic porcine secretin at a dose reported to be effective in other target preparations (2 CU (0.58 microgram) kg-1 h-1) had no effect on gastric acid secretion and Ca metabolism. In contrast, a pharmacological dose, 32 CU (9.3 micrograms) kg-1 h-1, inhibited acid secretion, decreased serum Ca and total protein, and increased serum parathyroid hormone, but left calcitonin and gastrin unchanged. Endogenous secretin appeared to act as an enterogastrone, but whether it was the only one is unclear. No role was detected for secretin in the gut-thyroid-parathyroid axis, since the Ca changes observed may have been unspecifically mediated.

A secretin releasing peptide exists in dog pancreatic juice

Canine pancreatic juice has been shown to stimulate exocrine pancreatic secretion in the dog. In the present study we investigated whether there is a secretin-releasing peptide in canine pancreatic juice. Pancreatic juice was collected from the dogs with Thomas gastric and duodenal cannulas while pancreatic secretion was stimulated by intravenous administration of secretin at 0.5 μ/gk/gh and CCK-8 at 0.2 μg/kg/h, respectively. The pancreatic juice was separated into three different molecular weight (MW) fractions (Fr) by ultrafiltration (Fr 1; MW > 10,000, Fr 2; MW = 10,000 − 4,000 and Fr 3; MW < 4,000), respectively. All the fractions were bioassayed in anesthetized rats. Fraction 3 dose-dependently and significantly stimulated pancreatic juice flow volume from 78.0% to 99.4% (p < 0.05) and bicarbonate output from 128.9% to 202.1% (p < 0.01), respectively. Plasma secretin concentration also increased from 1.2 ± 0.5 pM to 5.0 ± 0.8 pM and 6.0 ± 1.0 pM (p < 0.05). None of these fractions increased pancreatic protein secretion or plasma CCK level. The stimulatory effect of Fraction 3 on pancreatic secretion and the release of secretin was completely abolished by treatment with trypsin (1 mg ml for 60 min at 37 ° C) but not by heating (100 ° C, 10 min). Intravenous injection of a rabbit anti-secretin serum, which rendered plasma secretin almost undetectable in rat plasma, also abolished Fr 3-stimulated pancreatic secretion of fluid and bicarbonate secretion. These observations suggest that a secretin-releasing peptide exists in the canine pancreatic juice. It is trypsin-sensitive and heat-resistant. This peptide may play a significant physiological role on the release of secretin and regulation of exocrine pancreatic secretion.

Inhibition of gastric acid secretion in rat stomach by PACAP is mediated by secretin, somatostatin, and PGE(2).

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), existing in two variants, PACAP-27 and PACAP-38, is found in the enteric nervous system and regulates function of the digestive system. However, the regulatory mechanism of PACAP on gastric acid secretion has not been well elucidated. We investigated the inhibitory action of PACAP-27 on acid secretion and its mechanism in isolated vascularly perfused rat stomach. PACAP-27 in four graded doses (5, 10, 20, and 50 microg/h) was vascularly infused to determine its effect on basal and pentagastrin (50 ng/h)-stimulated acid secretion. To study the inhibitory mechanism of PACAP-27 on acid secretion, a rabbit antisecretin serum, antisomatostatin serum, or indomethacin was administered. Concentrations of secretin, somatostatin, PGE(2), and histamine in portal venous effluent were measured by RIA. PACAP-27 dose-dependently inhibited both basal and pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion. PACAP-27 at 10 microg/h significantly increased concentrations of secretin, somatostatin, and PGE(2) in basal or pentagastrin-stimulated state. The inhibitory effect of PACAP-27 on pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion was reversed 33% by an antisecretin serum, 80.0% by an antisomatostatin serum, and 46.1% by indomethacin. The antisecretin serum partially reduced PACAP-27-induced local release of somatostatin and PGE(2). PACAP-27 at 10 microg/h elevated histamine level in portal venous effluent, which was further increased by antisomatostatin serum. However, antisomatostatin serum did not significantly increase acid secretion. It is concluded that PACAP-27 inhibits both basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. The effect of PACAP-27 is mediated by local release of secretin, somatostatin, and PGE(2) in isolated perfused rat stomach. The increase in somatostatin and PGE(2) levels in portal venous effluent is, in part, attributable to local action of the endogenous secretin.

Secretin inhibits gastric acid secretion via a vagal afferent pathway in rats.

Secretin is an enterogastrone that inhibits gastric acid secretion and motility. Recently, it was reported that secretin inhibited gastric emptying via a capsaicin (Cap)-sensitive vagal afferent pathway. However, a possible role of the sensory afferent pathway in secretin-inhibited acid secretion has not been clarified. We investigated whether or not the acid secretion suppressed by secretin is modulated by a vagal and/or splanchnic afferent pathway in rats. Subdiaphragmatic perivagal (PV) or periceliac ganglionic (PCG) application of Cap (10 mg/ml) or vehicle was performed in both conscious and anesthetized rats 2 wk before experiments. Bilateral vagotomy was performed in some conscious rats 5 days before studies. Pentagastrin was administered intravenously at 0.6 microg . kg-1 . h-1. Secretin (20 pmol . kg-1 . h-1 iv) or 0.03 N HCl (4.32 ml/h id) was infused in conscious rats with gastric cannulas or anesthetized rats with ligation of the pylorus, respectively. A rabbit antisecretin serum was injected in some anesthetized rats before duodenal acidification. Secretin significantly inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion by 63% (P < 0.01), which was abolished by both vagotomy and PV treatment of Cap in conscious rats. In anesthetized rats, duodenal infusion of 0.03 N HCl suppressed pentagastrin-induced acid secretion by 59.4% (P < 0.01), which was reversed not only by antisecretin serum but also by PV application of Cap. However, PCG treatment with Cap did not influence the inhibition by secretin or duodenal acidification in either awake or anesthetized rats. These results indicate that the inhibition by secretin of pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion is mediated by a Cap-sensitive vagal afferent pathway but not via a splanchnic afferent pathway in rats.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide stimulates rat pancreatic secretion via secretin and cholecystokinin releases

Background & Aims: Pituitary adenylate cyclase–activating polypeptide (PACAP) stimulates protein and/or amylase secretion from isolated rat pancreatic acini. The effect of PACAP on pancreatic secretion in vivo and its mechanism of action were studied. Methods: Rats were prepared with pancreatic duct cannulation, pyloric ligation, and bile diversion into duodenum, and 2.5, 5, and 10 nmol/kg PACAP-27 was administered intravenously while pancreatic juice was collected for 30 minutes. In other groups of rats, the effect of 10 nmol/kg PACAP-27 was studied under the influence of either atropine; loxiglumide, an antisecretin serum; a combination of both loxiglumide and the antiserum; or a PACAP antagonist (PACAP 6-38). Plasma secretin and cholecystokinin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: (1) PACAP dose-dependently increased pancreatic secretion of fluid, bicarbonate, and protein; (2) the increase in pancreatic secretion paralleled that of plasma secretin and cholecystokinin; (3) a combination of loxiglumide and antisecretin serum eliminated the PACAP-stimulated pancreatic secretion, whereas loxiglumide or antisecretin serum alone partially but significantly blocked pancreatic secretion; (4) atropine failed to influence PACAP-induced pancreatic secretion; and (5) PACAP antagonist profoundly suppressed the PACAP action. Conclusions: PACAP-27 dose-dependently stimulates pancreatic secretion of fluid, bicarbonate, and protein in rats. This effect is mediated by release of both secretin and cholecystokinin and is independent of cholinergic tone. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;114:1054-1060

CCK-, secretin-, and cholinergic-independent pancreatic fluid hypersecretion in protease inhibitor-treated rats.

Plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) levels in fed rats increased from 2.59 +/- 0.13 pmol/l to the peak of 27.6 +/- 4.1 pmol/l at 1 h after a single oral administration of synthetic protease inhibitor (PI; ethyl N-allyl-N-[(E)-2-methyl-3-[4-(4-amidino-phenoxycarbonyl)phenyl] propenoyl] amino acetate methansulfonate; 20 mg/kg body wt), but then returned to the preloading value at 12 h after administration. The pancreatic fluid secretion, rich in chloride but poor in bicarbonate, was significantly elevated at 6-12 h postfeeding (100.9 +/- 8.2 vs. 27.3 +/- 2.3 microliters/30 min in control rats, P < 0.01). Loxiglumide (50 mg.kg body wt-1.h-1), atropine (100 micrograms.kg body wt-1.h-1), or antisecretin serum (100 microliters/rat) at 12 h postfeeding did not modify the fluid hypersecretion. Loxiglumide, when given together with PI, completely abolished fluid hypersecretion, but it could not inhibit hypersecretion when applied 3 h after PI treatment. Labeling with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine showed active proliferation of acinar cells at 3 h after PI treatment (3.56 +/- 0.29% vs. 0.46 +/- 0.08% in control, P < 0.001), but not in rats given loxiglumide together with PI. In rats that fasted from 12 h before to 12 h after PI feeding, neither pancreatic fluid hypersecretion nor active proliferation of acinar cells was observed. These results suggest that pancreatic fluid hypersecretion in fed rats at 6-12 h after PI treatment is caused not by CCK-, secretin-, or cholinergic-dependent mechanisms but probably by acinar cell proliferation.

Pancreatic fluid hypersecretion in rats after acute pancreatitis.

Pancreatic exocrine function was examined in rats during the early stage of acute pancreatitis induced by four subcutaneous injections of 20 micrograms/kg body weight of cerulein at hourly intervals. Basal pancreatic fluid secretion at 6 hr after the first of four cerulein injections was significantly elevated (27.6 +/- 3.7 vs 17.4 +/- 2.1 microliters/30 min in control, P < 0.01) and further increased with time, reaching the peak level at 24 hr (105.1 +/- 4.6 microliters/30 min). Intravenous infusion of loxiglumide (50 mg/kg body wt/hr), atropine (100 micrograms/kg body wt/hr), or anti-secretin serum did not modify the fluid hypersecretion observed at 24 hr after induction of acute pancreatitis. Loxiglumide, when given 30 min before the first cerulein injection, markedly reduced fluid secretion, but could not inhibit the fluid hypersecretion when applied after the last cerulein injection. Leakage of Evans blue dye into pancreatic juice was slightly but significantly increased in postpancreatitic rats compared with that in the control rats (1.30 +/- 0.17 vs 0.75 +/- 0.08 micrograms/ml, P < 0.01), whereas that in the pancreas was not different from the control rats. In vivo labeling with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine showed active proliferation of acinar and ductular cells at 6 hr. In addition, the fluid was rich in chloride (137.1 +/- 2.5 at 24 hr vs 92.4 +/- 3.3 meq/liter in control, P < 0.01) but poor in bicarbonate concentration (39.0 +/- 2.0 at 24 hr vs 46.5 +/- 1.9 mmol/liter in control, P < 0.01), indicating acinar cell secretion. These results indicate that pancreatic fluid secretion during the early stage of acute pancreatitis induced by supramaximal doses of cerulein was markedly increased not by CCK-, secretin-, or cholinergic-dependent mechanisms but probably by acinar cell proliferation.

Effects of MCI-727 on pancreatic exocrine secretion and acute pancreatitis in two experimental rat models.

The effects of a newly developed compound having antiulcer action, (Z)-2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-1-[4-(2-phenyl-ethyl)phenyl]-eth anone oxime hydrochloride monohydrate (MCI-727), on pancreatic exocrine secretion were studied in anesthetized rats and evaluated its preventive and therapeutic effects on acute pancreatitis in two experimental rat models. Intraduodenal administration of MCI-727 [25, 50, or 100 mg/kg body weight (wt)] stimulated a dose-dependent increase in pancreatic juice and bicarbonate output without increasing the protein output or plasma cholecystokinin concentration. MCI-727-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion was completely abolished by antisecretin serum but not by the cholecystokinin receptor antagonist loxiglumide (50 mg/kg body wt/h) or cholinergic receptor antagonist atropine (100 mu g/kg body wt/h). In rats with acute pancreatitis induced by four subcutaneous injections of 20 mu g/kg body wt cerulein at hourly intervals over 3 h, MCI-727 administered orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg body wt 30 min before the first cerulein injection significantly reduced the increases in serum amylase and lipase activity and pancreatic wet weight and induced improvements in the results of histologic examination. Moreover, when given 30 min before and 90 min after the first cerulein injection, MCI-727 had even more dramatic protective effects on all these parameters. In addition, even when administered immediately after the last cerulein injection, MCI-727 effectively ameliorated all these alterations of acute pancreatitis. However, MCI-727 had no apparent beneficial effects on the biochemical and histologic alterations of acute pancreatitis in the severe form induced by retrograde intraductal injection of 1.0 ml/kg body wt of 4% sodium taurocholate. These findings suggest that oral administration of MCI-727 stimulates pancreatic exocrine secretion by endogenous secretin release and that it has therapeutic as well as preventive effects on mild forms of acute pancreatitis in rats.

Effects of tetraprenylacetone on pancreatic exocrine secretion and acute pancreatitis in two experimental models in rats.

The effects of tetraprenylacetone (TPN), an acyclic polyisoprenoid with antiulcer actions, on pancreatic exocrine secretion, and its preventive and therapeutic effects on acute pancreatitis in two experimental models were studied in rats. Intraduodenal administration of TPN (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/h) caused dose-dependent increases in pancreatic juice and bicarbonate output without increasing protein output and plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations. TPN-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion was completely abolished by antisecretin serum but it was not by CCK receptor antagonist loxiglumide (50 mg/kg/h). In acute pancreatitis induced by four subcutaneous injections of 20 micrograms/kg cerulein at hourly intervals over, 3 h, TPN (400 mg/kg) given by an oral route either 1 h before the first cerulein injection or immediately after the last injection significantly reduced the increases in serum amylase and lipase activities and pancreatic wet wt. Pretreatment with TPN caused histologic improvements, whereas posttreatment failed to ameliorate histologic alterations. In severe type of acute pancreatitis induced by retrograde intraductal injection of 1.0 mL/kg of 4% sodium taurocholate, TPN exerted no apparent beneficial effects on biochemical and histologic alterations of acute pancreatitis. It is concluded that TPN given by an oral route stimulates pancreatic exocrine secretion through an increase in endogenous secretin release and causes beneficial effects on the experimental model of mild acute pancreatitis in rats.

Negative feedback regulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion in guinea pigs.

We have investigated whether hormonally mediated negative feedback mechanisms regulate pancreatic exocrine secretion in guinea pigs. In anesthetized guinea pigs prepared with a tube in the proximal duodenum, pyloric ligation, and pancreatic duct cannulation with PE-10 tubing, diversion of pancreatic juice for as long as 4 h in fasting states failed to increase either pancreatic secretion or plasma levels of secretin or cholecystokinin (CCK). In the same animal preparation, intraduodenal (ID) infusion of sodium oleate (SO) resulted in significant increases in both pancreatic secretin and plasma levels of the two hormones that were significantly suppressed by ID infusion of pancreatic juice or a combination of trypsin and chymotrypsin. In another group of guinea pigs, this significant increase in pancreatic secretion was profoundly suppressed by a rabbit antisecretin serum (0.2 ml) or loxiglumide (10 mg.kg-1.h-1). Moreover, a combination of the antiserum and loxiglumide completely abolished the pancreatic secretion. The effect of atropine, 20 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 i.v., on SO-stimulated pancreatic secretion and hormone release was also studied. Atropine completely suppressed the pancreatic secretion of volume flow, bicarbonate, and protein stimulated by SO, whereas neither one of the two hormone levels was affected by intravenous atropine, indicating that atropine blocks the actions of both secretin and CCK on the pancreatic exocrine secretion. It is concluded that a negative feedback regulation of exocrine pancreatic secretion is operative in the intestinal phase of pancreatic secretion in guinea pigs and that this feedback mechanism is mediated by both secretin and CCK. Furthermore, in guinea pigs, cholinergic tone plays an important modulating role in the mechanism.

Secretin: a physiological regulator of gastric emptying and acid output in dogs

Secretin has been known to inhibit gastric acid secretion in several species. However, the physiological role of secretin on the postprandial acid output and gastric emptying in an intact stomach remains controversial. In the present study, we reinvestigated the role of secretin in physiological dose range and endogenous secretin on gastric acid secretion and emptying in the stomach without influencing intragastric luminal pH in dogs. In seven conscious dogs with gastric cannulas, a 4% amino acid meal was administered intragastrically, and three different doses of secretin and an antisecretin serum were infused intravenously in each dog on separate days. Gastric emptying and net acid output were measured using a dye dilution technique, and plasma secretin and gastrin were determined by specific radioimmunoassays. After the meal, gastric emptying was exponential: acid output peaked at 25 min, and plasma concentrations of gastrin and secretin peaked at 15 and 60 min, respectively. Intravenous infusion of secretin at 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 pmol.kg-1.h-1 dose dependently increased plasma levels of the peptide and suppressed postprandial plasma gastrin response and gastric acid output and emptying of the meal. Immunoneutralization of circulating secretin with a rabbit antisecretin serum abolished the postprandial rise of plasma secretin and significantly increased plasma gastrin, and augmented gastric emptying as well as acid output. It is concluded that, in dogs, secretin plays a physiological role in the regulation of gastric emptying and acid output after a liquid amino acid meal and that these effects may be mediated in part by suppression of the release of gastrin.

Effect of protein derivatives on pancreatic secretion and release of secretin and CCK in rats.

We investigated the effect of intraduodenal administration of oligopeptide and a mixed amino acid solution, which contains the same amino acid composition as oligopeptide, on pancreatic exocrine secretion and the release of secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK). Anesthetized rats were prepared with pyloric ligation and cannulation of pancreatic duct and bile duct. Protein derivatives in three different doses (oligopeptide: 25, 100, and 400 mg/h; and mixed amino acid solution: 70, 140, and 280 mg/h, pH 7.0) were infused into the duodenum for 1 h. Pancreatic juice was collected, and plasma concentrations of secretin and CCK were measured by radioimmunoassay. In addition, the effect of intravenous injection of an antisecretin serum or a CCK antagonist, loxiglumide, on pancreatic secretion stimulated by oligopeptide or mixed amino acid solution was also studied. Oligopeptide produced a significant dose-related increase in pancreatic secretion including volume, HCO3-, amylase, and trypsin output, plasma secretin (r = 0.792, P < 0.001), and plasma CCK (r = 0.421, P < 0.01). Similarly, mixed amino acid solution produced a dose-related increase in pancreatic juice volume, HCO3-, amylase, and trypsin output. Compared with CCK, the percentage increase in plasma secretin was 7.3x and 2.8x higher in response to oligopeptide (400 mg/h) and mixed amino acid solution (280 mg/h), respectively. An antisecretin serum almost completely inhibited volume flow and HCO3- output stimulated by oligopeptide as well as mixed amino acid solution, but not amylase and trypsin output. In contrast, loxiglumide significantly suppressed amylase and trypsin output stimulated by protein derivatives, but did not affect volume flow or HCO3- output.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of [(CH2NH)4,5]secretin on pancreatic exocrine secretion in guinea pigs and rats

[psi 4,5]Secretin was shown to be a secretin receptor antagonist that inhibits secretin-stimulated increase in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in isolated pancreatic acini of the guinea pig. To determine whether it inhibits pancreatic exocrine secretion in vivo, we have studied the effect of [psi 4,5]secretin on the pancreatic secretion stimulated by secretin in anesthetized guinea pigs and rats. In basal state, [psi 4,5]secretin given intravenously for 2 or 3 h in varying doses of 1.6-32.7 nmol.kg-1.h-1 dose dependently increased pancreatic secretion of both fluid and bicarbonate during the 1st h, but it returned gradually to basal level within 2 or 3 h. On the other hand, [psi 4,5]secretin significantly inhibited the pancreatic secretion stimulated by either exogenous or endogenous secretin in a dose-related manner. The inhibitory effect of [psi 4,5]secretin in guinea pigs was greater than that in rats. However, it did not completely block the secretin-stimulated pancreatic secretion, whereas a rabbit antisecretin serum suppressed it completely. We conclude that 1) in the unstimulated state, [psi 4,5]secretin is a partial agonist of pancreatic exocrine secretion of both fluid and bicarbonate; and 2) when pancreatic secretion is stimulated by secretin, unlike an antisecretin serum, it is a partial inhibitor in intact guinea pigs and rats.

Role of endogenous secretin and cholecystokinin in intraduodenal oleic acid-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion in rats

We investigated a possible role of endogenous secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK) in inhibition of gastric acid secretion induced by intraduodenal administration of oleic acid in rats. Intraduodenal administration of oleic acid emulsion in a dose of 1 mmol/hr resulted in significant inhibition of gastric acid secretion stimulated by intravenous infusion of pentagastrin (0.3 micrograms/kg/hr), and this was accompanied by an increase in the plasma concentration of both secretin and CCK, from 1.2 +/- 0.08 pM and 20.6 +/- 1.2 pM to 4.3 +/- 0.18 pM and 31.6 +/- 0.9 pM, respectively (P less than 0.001). Intravenous infusion of secretin (0.05 CU/kg/hr) inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion, but CCK-8 (0.03 micrograms/kg/hr) failed, although intravenous infusion of secretin and CCK in those doses produced plasma levels comparable to the levels achieved in response to oleic acid administration. Furthermore, the oleic acid-induced suppression of gastric acid secretion was blocked significantly by intravenous injection of rabbit anti-secretin serum (0.1 ml), but not by intravenous infusion of a CCK-receptor antagonist, CR 1409 (5 mg/kg/hr). Thus, the results of this study indicate that endogenous secretin rather than CCK is involved in the hormonal mechanism regulating the inhibition of gastric acid secretion by intestinal fat in rats.

Mediation of trypsin inhibitor-induced pancreatic hypersecretion by secretin and cholecystokinin in rats

We investigated a hormonal mechanism in a trypsin inhibitor-induced pancreatic hypersecretion in rats. Intraduodenal administration of a synthetic trypsin inhibitor, camostat, resulted in significant increases in plasma concentration of both secretin and cholecystokinin in a dose-related manner that paralleled a significant increase in exocrine pancreatic secretion. To eliminate the effect of circulating secretin in rats, a rabbit antisecretin serum was given IV that resulted in a 77% reduction in bicarbonate secretion stimulated by intraduodenal camostat. A cholecystokinin receptor antagonist, MK-329, also inhibited significantly the camostatinduced increase in pancreatic secretion; volume and bicarbonate output were reduced by 35% each and amylase output by 73%. The combined administration of antisecretin serum and MK-329 completely abolished the pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by camostat. These observations indicate that the camostat-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion is mediated by the increased release of both secretin and cholecystokinin in rats.

Mechanism of oleic acid-induced inhibition on gastric acid secretion in rats

We investigated the existence of an enterogastrone in rats induced by duodenal administration of oleic acid. Acid secretion by the luminally perfused stomach was stimulated in anesthetized rats by intravenous infusion of 0.3 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 pentagastrin. Intraduodenal administration of 3 mmol of oleic acid produced a profound inhibition (94%) of pentagastrin-stimulated acid output in 10 rats (P less than 0.01). Of several peptides in plasma including secretin, neurotensin, somatostatin, and peptide YY, only secretin was found to increase significantly (P less than 0.001). A similar degree of inhibition of acid output (93%) was caused by porcine secretin, 5.6 pmol.kg-1.h-1, given intravenously to mimic the plasma level of secretin produced by oleic acid infusion. The inhibitory effect of oleic acid on the acid secretion was completely reversed by intravenous injection of a rabbit antisecretin serum but not by a normal rabbit serum. These observations strongly suggest that the inhibition was mediated via circulating secretin. The inhibition produced by either oleic acid or secretin was completely blocked by indomethacin. The blocking action was completely reversed by intravenous administration of 48 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 prostaglandin E2. We conclude that endogenous secretin is a major enterogastrone released by oleic acid in anesthetized rats and that the inhibitory action of secretin requires endogenous prostaglandins.

Role of Secretin in Basal and Fat-Stimulated Pancreatic Secretion in Conscious Rats*

The role of endogenous secretin in basal and fat-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion was investigated in conscious rats. Rats were prepared with chronic fistulas draining bile and pancreatic juice, which was collected and returned to the duodenum at all times. Six days postoperative rats were fasted overnight, and pancreatic protein and fluid secretion were monitored for 3 h under basal conditions (0.15 M NaCl, intraduodenally) and during 2 h of intraduodenal infusion of a 20% triglyceride emulsion (Liposyn). Solutions were infused at 4.6 ml/h. Rats received a single bolus injection of 0.1 ml antisecretin serum or normal rabbit serum starting in the second hour of the basal period, and the effect on basal and fat-stimulated pancreatic protein and fluid secretion was determined. Antisecretin serum significantly inhibited basal interdigestive pancreatic protein and fluid secretion by 43% and 36%, respectively. Infusion of 20% fat emulsion stimulated a 2.1-fold increase in pancreatic protein and fluid secretion. The stimulation of both protein and fluid secretion was significantly inhibited by 60% by antisecretin serum. Plasma secretin after 2 h of fat infusion was 17.7 +/- 1.8 pM and was greatly reduced by the presence of secretin antiserum. The results support the hypothesis that secretin released by fatty acids is an important mediator of the pancreatic protein and fluid secretory response to dietary fat in the rat.

Hormonal mechanism of sodium oleate-stimulated pancreatic secretion in rats

We have investigated the role of two intestinal hormones, secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK), on the pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by sodium oleate in anesthetized rats. Each rat was prepared with a polyethylene tube in the proximal duodenum and ligation of the pylorus. To collect pancreatic juice, the common bile-pancreatic duct was cannulated near the duodenal wall while bile was diverted to the exterior. Intraduodenal infusion of sodium oleate at doses of 0.03, 0.06, 0.12, and 0.24 mmol/h resulted in significant increases in pancreatic secretion including fluid, bicarbonate, and protein output. The increases of the three parameters were dose dependent and were correlated well with the increases in plasma secretin and CCK concentrations. To further clarify their hormonal roles, we have repeated identical experiments under intravenous administration of a rabbit anti-secretin serum (0.1 ml) or CR 1409 (4 mg.kg-1.h-1), a CCK-receptor antagonist, or a combination of both the antiserum and CR 1409. The antiserum significantly suppressed volume flow and bicarbonate secretion with a minor inhibitory effect on protein secretion, whereas a normal rabbit serum did not. CR 1409 significantly suppressed all three parameters. The combined treatment with both the antiserum and CR 1409 almost completely abolished the pancreatic secretion. Atropine given intravenously significantly inhibited the protein output but did not influence volume flow or bicarbonate output in response to sodium oleate. We thus conclude that, in rats, fat-stimulated pancreatic secretion of volume flow and bicarbonate depends entirely on the circulating endogenous secretin and CCK but that the protein output appears to be under control of both hormonal and cholinergic controls.

Mechanism of acid-induced release of secretin in rats. Presence of a secretin-releasing peptide.

In fasting rats, intraduodenal infusion of dilute hydrochloric acid results in significant increases in both pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma concentration of secretin. To test the hypothesis that acid-induced release of secretin is mediated by a secretin-releasing factor (S-RF), anesthetized rats were prepared with pyloric ligation, duodenal and jejunal cannulas, and pancreatic duct cannulas. Donor rats were infused intraduodenally with 0.01 N HCl, 0.15 M NaCl, or a combination of 0.01 N HCl and 0.05 N NaHCO3 at 0.3 ml/min for 1.5 h, and the perfusates were collected via jejunal cannulas. The perfusates with pH adjusted to 6.0 were concentrated threefold and infused into the duodena of recipient rats. The concentrate of acid perfusate (CAP) significantly increased both pancreatic volume flow and bicarbonate output and plasma concentration of secretin, whereas concentrates of the saline perfusate (CSP) or the perfusate of a combination of 0.01 N HCl and 0.05 N NaHCO3 (CABP) did not influence pancreatic secretion or plasma concentration of secretin. The increased pancreatic secretion by CAP was attributed to increased circulating secretin because when secretin was immunoneutralized by a rabbit antisecretin serum, CAP-stimulated pancreatic secretion was abolished. The bioactivity of CAP was trypsin-sensitive and heat stable. The active substance in CAP had a molecular weight of less than 5,000 and greater than 1,000, as determined by ultrafiltration and bioassay. In conclusion, dilute HCl releases an S-RF into the upper small intestinal lumen to stimulate release of secretin. This substance, with molecular weight of less than 5,000, is heat stable and trypsin sensitive. Thus, the acid-stimulated release of secretin is mediated by a secretin-releasing peptide in the upper small intestinal lumen.

Release of secretin by licorice extract in dogs.

To determine the effect of a fraction of licorice extract, FM100, on the endogenous release of secretin and exocrine pancreatic secretion, five dogs were prepared with chronic pancreatic fistulas and gastric cannulas. Intraduodenal administration of licorice extract (pH 7.4) in three different doses (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g) resulted in significant increases of both plasma secretin concentrations and pancreatic bicarbonate secretion in a dose-related manner. The plasma secretin concentration and pancreatic bicarbonate output produced by licorice extract correlated well. Intragastric administration of licorice extract (2 g) in 5% liver extract meal (in which pH was maintained at 5.5 by the intragastric titration method) resulted in significant increases of both plasma secretin concentration and pancreatic bicarbonate output. The increase in pancreatic bicarbonate secretion was completely abolished by intravenous infusion of a rabbit antisecretin serum in the two dogs so studied. Thus, the present study indicates that the endogenous release of secretion is involved in a mechanism of an increase in exocrine pancreatic secretin induced by FM100.