Pancreatic Duct Ligation Research Articles

Responsiveness and memory of the pancreatic B-cells to the insulin secretagogues D-glucose and L-arginine in prediabetic and diabetic rabbits.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes was obtained in rabbits following pancreatic duct ligation. The insulin responses to D-glucose and to L-arginine were studied in the isolated perfused pancreas of control, prediabetic, and diabetic rabbits. In controls, D-glucose or L-arginine caused biphasic insulin release that was qualitatively and quantitatively altered in both prediabetic and diabetic animals. Most secretagogues influence the islet response to other secretagogues by modifying the B-cell memory. In perfused control pancreas, the priming effect of D-glucose resulted in a time-dependent potentiation (TDP) of insulin release during subsequent L-arginine stimulus, whereas L-arginine induced a time-dependent inhibition (TDI) of insulin release during subsequent D-glucose stimulus. As compared with the controls, the TDP effect obtained was emphasized in prediabetic and strongly diminished in diabetic animals. In some prediabetic and diabetic cases, the TDI remained unchanged compared with the controls, and in others it diminished in prediabetic and disappeared in diabetic animals where the effect became one of TDP. The effects of TDP and TDI seem to evolve independently of the modifications of the responsiveness to B-cell secretagogues.

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis in the opossum: Earliest morphological changes involve acinar cells

Acute pancreatitis was induced by ligating the opossum common biliopancreatic duct immediately proximal to its entry into the duodenum, and macroscopic as well as microscopic changes were evaluated during the subsequent 24 hours. Transient pancreatic edema and progressive hyperamylasemia were noted within 6 hours of pancreatic and bile duct ligation. Light microscopic evidence of pancreatic injury including acinar cell necrosis, hemorrhage, fat necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration was noted within 12 hours of duct obstruction. Electron microscopic changes included massive dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and disruption of the apical plasmalemma of acinar cells during the initial 3 hours. These observations indicate that pancreatic and bile duct ligation in the opossum results in the rapid (< 24 hours) appearance of changes consistent with acute hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis and that the initial lesion in this model of experimental pancreatitis involves acinar cells.

Whipple Procedure for Trauma

The use of pancreatic duct ligation (DL) during a Whipple procedure for trauma has been reported but not analyzed. We reviewed 13 cases of DL and compared the results with that reported for the Whipple procedure for trauma with pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). The mortality rate of DL was 53.8%. Pancreatitis occurred in three cases (23.1%) and caused one death. Pancreatic fistulae occurred in 50% of patients surviving two or more days after DL. No long-term survivor developed overt diabetes mellitus. Malabsorption occurred in 50% of the long-term survivors of DL. When the DL and PJ groups were compared no statistically significant difference could be found in either mortality or pancreatic morbidity. The 46.2% survival rate for DL warrants its consideration as a technique available to trauma surgeons when faced with an unstable patient unable to tolerate further operative therapy.

PANCREATIC FISTULAS FOLLOWING DISTAL PANCREATECTOMY ADDITIONAL TO GASTRECTOMY FOR GASTRIC CANCER

The clinical courses of 178 consecutive patients undergone distal pancreatectomy with gastrectomy for gastric cancer in our department during last 11 years were reviewed, to identify the risk factors related to the development of postoperative pancreatic fistulas. In addition, the usefulness of fibrin glue applied to the stump of pancreas to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula was also studied. Postoperative pancreatic fistula was present in 43 patients (24.2%). The increased incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula was observed in patients associated with preoperative disorder of glucose metabolism or liver disfunction, those with far advanced gastric cancer, and those without intraoperative ligation of pancreatic duct on the cut-surface. However, in the courses of 135 patients with suitable ligation of pancreatic duct, 30 pancreatic fistulas (24.6%) occurred postoperatively among 122 patients without the use of fibrin glue, versus only one pancreatic fistula (7.7%) among 13 patients with fibrin glue. These results suggest that optimal evaluation of risk factors can link prevention of postoperative pancreatic fistula and that application of fibrin glue to the stump of pancreas after suitable ligation of pancreatic duct might be useful to prevent from postoperative pancreatic fistula.

Comparison of Somatuline (BIM‐23014) and somatostatin on endocrine and exocrine activities in the rat

AbstractThe actions of Somatuline (BIM‐23014), an Octapeptide analogue of somatostatin, and somatostatin have been compared on several endocrine and exocrine activities in the rat. A substantial difference exists between these two compounds with respect to potency, duration of action, and tissue‐selectivity. With regard to endocrine activities, Somatuline was about 300 times more potent than somatostatin in inhibiting growth hormone (GH) release 15 min after intravenous injection, and about 4 to 6 times more potent 15 min after subcutaneous administration. The inhibitory activity of subcutaneously‐administered Somatuline on D‐ALa2‐GRF‐stimulated GH release lasted for about 6 hr, whereas an action of somatostatin was not detected 30 min after injection. Somatuline was also more potent than somatostatin in inhibiting insulin‐stimulated glucagon secretion when both substances were administered intravenously, whereas they were about equipotent when given by the subcutaneous route. However, Somatuline was only about half as potent as somatostatin by the intravenous route in inhibiting glucose‐stimulated insulin release and inactive by the subcutaneous route. With regard to exocrine activities, Somatuline was about 300–500 times more potent than somatostatin in inhibiting the increase in plasma α‐amylase activity following ligation‐induced pancreatitis when both compounds were administered subcutaneously concurrently with pancreatic duct ligation. Somatuline was also about 20–400 times more potent that somatostatin in inhibiting gastric acid secretion when both compounds were administered subcutaneously prior to, or concurrently with, pentagastrin challenge, and about 100 times more potent than somatostatin when administered after pentagastrin challenge. Somatuline had a very weak inhibitory effect on the development of ethanol induced gastric ulcers, it did not induced diarrhea, and it had no effect on the course of diarrhea in rats subjected to castor oil gavage. The differences that have been shown to exist between Somatuline and somatostatin indicate that Somatuline may be more useful in treating certain disease states, such as diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, and possible gastritis or bleeding gastric ulcers.

Effects of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and replacement therapy on the bacterial flora of the duodenum in dogs

SUMMARY The influence of pancreatic secretions on the bacterial flora of the small intestine in 6 dogs was investigated by determining effects of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency on numbers and types of bacteria in duodenal juice, and by examining the subsequent response to dietary supplementation with bovine pancreatic extract. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was induced by ligation of pancreatic ducts and was confirmed by indirect assessment of exocrine pancreatic function. Duct ligation was followed by large increases (P &lt; 0.01) in total numbers of bacteria, reflecting increased numbers particularly of Lactobacillus spp and Streptococcus spp, in 3 dogs accompanied by obligate anaerobes. Total numbers of aerobes and anaerobes decreased markedly (P &lt; 0.05) after supplementation with bovine pancreatic extract to values that were not significantly different from those determined before duct ligation. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency therefore resulted in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth that was reversed by pancreatic replacement therapy, indicating that pancreatic secretions can have an important influence on the small intestinal bacterial flora of dogs.

Protective Effect of Misoprostol, A Synthetic Prostaglandin E, Analog, on Experimental Pancreatitis Induced by Pancreatic Duct Ligation in Rat

This study was performed to assess the effects of misoprostol (M), a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog, on experimental pancreatitis in rat. Pancreatitis was induced by ligation of the main pancreatic duct of 3-month-old male Wistar rats. Pancreatic lesions were observed at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h after pancreatic duct ligation (PDL). A time of 48 h was chosen to evaluate M treatment. M was injected intraperitoneally (500 micrograms/kg every 4 h) between time 0 and 48 h after PDL. Stereological analysis was performed on light and electron microscopy. Total pancreatic amylase and chymotrypsin concentrations were determined. Four groups of five rats were studied: sham operated (SO), M without PDL (PG), duct ligation without M (DL), and duct ligation with M (DLPG). Edema, dedifferentiation of pancreatic acinar cells, and heterogeneous distribution of zymogen granule diameters observed after PDL were significantly decreased by M in the DLPG group. Enzyme concentrations were also decreased by M in the DLPG group. Enzyme concentrations were also decreased by M both in normal (PG) and duct ligated rats (DL). M has protective effects against pancreatic lesions induced by PDL. In this model, the protective effect of M may be due to a blockade of the autodigestive secretions of the pancreatic acinar cells.

Pancreatic Enzyme Supplementation in Normal and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficient Pigs

The effect of pancreatic enzyme preparation (Combizyme Forte granulate) on the growth rate of normal, sham-operated and pancreatic duct ligated growing pigs was studied in 2 trials. In the first trial 6 normal Yorkshire pigs were fed a pancreatic enzyme supplement and 6 other pigs from the same litter were fed without supplementation. The growth rate over a period of 4 weeks was not significantly greater in the supplemented group. In a second trial exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, without diabetic symptoms, was produced in 12 pigs (aged 1.5 months and weighing 14 kgs) by ligation of the main pancreatic duct. The growth rates over a period of 20 days after surgery were 240 g, 454 g and 483 g/day in ligated pigs, in ligated pigs supplemented with pancreatic enzyme and in sham-operated control pigs, respectively. The difference between the ligated groups was significant (p less than 0.01) indicating the efficiency of the pancreatic enzyme therapy.

Biochemical changes in the jejunal mucosa of dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency following pancreatic duct ligation

The effects of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency on the small intestinal mucosa were examined in dogs following pancreatic duct ligation. There were no significant changes either in villus architecture or enterocyte height after duct ligation, but numbers of bacteria in duodenal juice increased then subsequently decreased following treatment with exogenous pancreatic enzymes. Pancreatic insufficiency resulted in a considerable increase in the proportion of microvillar membrane proteins of molecular mass over 200 kDa from 3.3 +/- 4 per cent (mean +/- SEM) to 13.6 +/- 7.2 per cent, and this decreased to 6.9 +/- 5.2 per cent following pancreatic enzyme supplementation. However, anticipated increases in activities of maltase and sucrase were not observed following duct ligation, and there was a reduction in lactase activity which was reversed by pancreatic supplementation. Activities of marker enzymes for the other subcellular organelles showed relatively minor or no changes throughout the study. These findings are consistent with a specific role for pancreatic enzymes in the post-translational processing of intestinal microvillar membrane proteins, and suggest that reduced degradation of brush border proteins in the absence of pancreatic secretions may be masked by quantitative and qualitative changes in the intestinal microflora.

Total Pancreatic Insufficiency in Pigs

Oral pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy generally benefits patients with severe pancreatic deficiency. However, the fate of oral pancreatic supplements in the digestive lumen and their possible effects on circulating gut hormones are only partially known. The purpose of this article is to validate an experimental model that produces total pancreatic insufficiency in pigs, and to study the fate of orally administered Eurobiol, a whole pancreas lyophilized preparation, and its effects on circulating plasma levels of five digestive hormones. Pancreatic insufficiency was created by pancreatic duct ligation, and the duodenal, jejunal and ileal contents were sampled through cannulas before a normal meal and 0.5-24 h later. Blood samples were taken at the same times, and plasma neurotensin, pancreatic polypeptide, secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK), and gastrin were measured. In pigs with pancreatic insufficiency, Eurobiol, given during the meal, induced a significant increase in all enzyme activities in the duodenum and the jejunum, and in the levels of amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin in the ileum, relative to placebo. In the duodenum, the peak concentrations of enzyme activities were 19, 11, 17, and 29% (p less than 0.001) of the postprandial peak activities measured in control pigs with an intact pancreas for lipase, amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin, respectively. In the jejunum, the same activities were, respectively, 30, 11, 25, and 36% (p less than 0.01-0.001) of normal peaks. In pigs with pancreatic insufficiency, basal and integrated meal-stimulated neurotensin levels were increased; basal, peak, and integrated meal-stimulated pancreatic polypeptide and secretin levels were increased, whereas gastrin and CCK were not different from controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pancreatic Structure and Glucose Tolerance in a Longitudinal Study of Experimental Pancreatitis-Induced Diabetes

Chronic pancreatitis is associated with glucose intolerance and resultant pancreatogenic diabetes. Using the canine pancreatic duct-ligated model of pancreatitis, we serially evaluated pancreatic histology and electron microscopy, tolerance to intravenous and oral glucose, and insulin response to glucose loading. Pancreatic duct ligation caused microscopic evidence of acute pancreatitis at 1 week, progressing to acinar loss and fibrosis consistent with chronic pancreatitis at time periods up to 6 months. The islets of Langerhans showed degranulation early and appeared to be structurally preserved late. Calculated K values indicated a progressive significant deterioration in intravenous glucose tolerance, falling significantly from 3.46 +/- 0.23 basally to 1.51 +/- 0.17 at 6 months after duct ligation (p less than 0.0001). Oral glucose tolerance deteriorated significantly, with the integrated glucose response rising from 23.7 +/- 1.2 g/dl.minute basally to 32.3 +/- 2.8 g/dl.minute at 6 months after duct ligation (p less than 0.05). Integrated insulin response to both intravenous and oral glucose deteriorated with pancreatitis. Pancreatitis-induced glucose intolerance is a consistent feature of this duct-ligated model. Glucose intolerance stabilizes between 4 and 6 months after duct ligation and is associated with pancreatic acinar fibrosis and pancreatic endocrine structural preservation. While the mechanism of altered glucose tolerance may involve mechanical, neural, humoral, or vascular events, our data clearly support the conclusion that pancreatic ductal stenosis with resultant pancreatic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis is associated with abnormal islet responsiveness leading to circulating insulin deficiency and glucose intolerance, despite histologic and ultrastructural evidence of intact islets of Langerhans.

Somatostatin levels and binding in duodenal mucosa of rabbits with ligation of the pancreatic duct.

Atrophy of the exocrine pancreas was induced in rabbits by pancreatic duct ligation. Somatostatin concentration and binding in cytosol from rabbit duodenal mucosa were studied after 6 and 14 weeks of pancreatic duct ligation. Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity was significantly increased in the duodenal mucosa in both periods. Scatchard analysis showed a parallel increase in the number of binding sites rather than a change in their affinity. The physiological significance of these findings remains to be clarified.

Role of pancreatic enzymes on release of cholecystokinin-pancreozymin in response to fat.

In dogs prepared with either pancreatic duct ligation (PDL) or chronic pancreatic fistula (PF), we investigated the effect of pancreatic enzymes on release of cholecystokinin (CCK) in response to corn oil in the upper small intestine. In control dogs without PDL, intraduodenal administration of corn oil (Lipomul containing 15 mmol of triglyceride) resulted in a marked and sharp increase in plasma CCK concentration during the 1st h, which then decreased during the following 1.5 h. In PDL dogs, on the other hand, no immediate increase occurred during the 1st 45 min after which a modest but gradual increase occurred in plasma CCK concentration during the following 2 h. Likewise, plasma CCK concentration increased significantly when Lipomul predigested with pancreatic enzymes or oleic acid was administered to PDL dogs. The increase was comparable to the response to Lipomul alone in control dogs. The infusion of Lipomul resulted in similar responses of plasma CCK in PF dogs as were found in PDL dogs when pancreatic juice was diverted to the exterior from the duodenum. The increases in plasma CCK paralleled the pancreatic protein secretion, and a significant correlation was found between plasma CCK concentration and the protein output. The present observations indicate that release of endogenous CCK by fat from the upper small intestine depends on an adequate digestion of neutral fat by pancreatic enzymes. Thus pancreatic enzymes play an important role on release of CCK in response to a neutral fat.

Pancreatic Duct Obstruction in the Pig: Electron Microscopy of Chronic Pancreatitis

Morphological changes of pancreatic tissue in young pigs caused by surgical ligation of the main pancreatic duct are described. Nineteen animals from 6 to 7 weeks in age were operated on and necropsied 3 or 6 to 8 weeks later. Twelve pigs developed a pronounced chronic pancreatitis with complete exocrine insufficiency. Of the 7 animals failing to develop ectasia of pancreatic ducts, 2 died due to surgical complications. In addition, 3 pigs were sham-operated and served as controls. In macroscopical studies it was observed that in the pronounced pancreatitis cases the ligated duct was greatly dilated by a clear watery fluid. Only remnants of pale and firm grandular tissues were seen around the ectatic ducts. Microscopically, typical changes of chronic pancreatitis were noted. Complete disappearance of acini was followed by ductular cell proliferations. Glandular tissues were divided into lobuli by fibrotic tissues and fat cells. The wall of the main pancreatic duct was greatly thickened and fibrotic, presenting intensely proliferating ductular cells and round cell infiltrates. Furthermore, enlarged endocrine islets surrounded by connective tissue fibres were seen.

New canine model of chronic pancreatitis due to chronic ischemia with incomplete pancreatic duct obstruction.

A new experimental model of chronic pancreatitis was produced by a combination of chronic ischemia and incomplete obstruction of the pancreatic duct. Ischemia was induced by ligation and separation of branches flowing into the left pancreatic lobe from the splenic artery. Incomplete ductal obstruction was achieved by ligation and separation of the minor pancreatic duct and placement of a polyethylene tube in the major pancreatic duct. Macroscopic examination at 6 months after model preparation showed that the pancreas was hard, with severe inflammatory change. In the secretin test, the flow rate of pancreatic juice, amylase output and bicarbonate concentration were significantly reduced as compared with the controls. Pancreatography revealed dilatation and meandering of the major pancreatic duct and poor visualization of its secondary and tertiary bifurcations. The histopathological findings consisted of a decrease in the pancreatic parenchyma, replacement of fat, severe inflammatory cell infiltration, extensive fibrosis and tubular complexes. This model most closely resembles human chronic pancreatitis, and is a very useful instrument.

Plasticiser migration in PVC

Acute pancreatitis is a gastrointestinal disorder of high incidence resulting in life threatening complications in up to 20% of patients. Its severe form is characterized by an extensive and systemic immune response. We investigated the role of the adaptive immune response in two experimental models of pancreatitis.In C57BI/6-mice mild pancreatitis was induced by 8-hourly injections of caerulein and severe pancreatitis by additional, partial pancreatic duct ligation. T-cell-activation was determined by flow-cytometry of CD25/CD69, T-cell-differentiation by nuclear staining of the transcription-factors Tbet, Gata3 and Foxp3. In vivo CD4+ T-cells were depleted using anti-CD4 antibody. Disease severity was determined by histology, serum amylase and lipase activities, lung MPO and serum cytokine levels (IL-6, TNFα, IL-10).In both models T-cells were activated. Th1-differentiation (Tbet) was absent during pancreatitis but we detected a pronounced Th2/Treg (Gata3/Foxp3) response which paralleled disease severity in both models. The complete depletion of CD4+ T-cells via anti-CD4 antibody, surprisingly, reduced disease severity significantly, as well as granulocyte infiltration and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. Co-incubation of acini and T-cells did not lead to T-cell-activation by acinar cells but to acinar damage by T-cells. During pancreatitis no significant T-cell-infiltration into the pancreas was observed.T cells orchestrate the early local as well as the systemic immune responses in pancreatitis and are directly involved in organ damage. The Th2 response appears to increase disease severity, rather than conferring an immunological protection.

Dissociation of Langerhans islets in the rabbit after pancreatic duct ligation. Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies.

In the rabbit, pancreatic duct ligation leads to serious disturbances of the pancreatic endocrine parenchyma. Immunocytochemical studies conducted over a short period (between 5 and 30 days post ligation) allow observation of a progressive dissociation of the Langerhans islets which initially affects the splenic part of the pancreas, a region where numerous large islets are found. This dissociation is followed by a dispersion of small heterologous endocrine cell clusters or isolated endocrine cells in a connective tissue which replace the exocrine parenchyma. On the 30th day after ligation ultrastructural studies show marked degranulation of the B cells demonstrating the great fragility of these cells. These observations of insular dissociation, scattering of the different endocrine cells and impairment of B cells are often reported in experimental and pathological studies of the pancreas.

Mechanism of Increased Exocrine Pancreatic Secretion in Pancreatic Juice-Diverted Rats

We investigated a possible role of endogenous cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) in the mechanism of exocrine pancreatic secretion after excluding pancreatic juice from the intestine in rats. Fasting plasma immunoreactive CCK-PZ was determined in normal rats, in rats with pancreatic duct ligation, and in sham-operated rats. The mean fasting plasma CCK-PZ concentration of rats with pancreatic duct ligation, 25.1 +/- 2.0 pM, was significantly greater (p less than 0.001) than those of normal and sham-operated rats, 14.3 +/- 1.7 and 11.5 +/- 2.2 pM, respectively. Whereas mean postprandial plasma CCK-PZ concentrations of normal and sham-operated rats were significantly greater (p less than 0.001) than their fasting levels, no significant increase occurred in the rats with pancreatic duct ligation after a meal. The mean fasting plasma CCK-PZ concentration of rats with pancreatic duct ligation was comparable to the mean postprandial CCK-PZ level of normal and sham-operated rats. To determine a possible role of circulating endogenous CCK-PZ on the pancreatic secretion, anesthetized rats were prepared with ligation of pylorus and cannulation of pancreatic duct. After diversion of pancreatic juice began, pancreatic secretion including protein significantly increased, which coincided with a significant increase in plasma CCK-PZ concentration. The increases in both pancreatic secretion and plasma CCK-PZ were reversed by intraduodenal administration of bovine trypsin or rat pancreatic juice. Furthermore, the increase in pancreatic secretion was abolished by intravenous infusion of proglumide or an intravenous bolus injection of a rabbit anti-CCK-PZ serum, which also blocked clearly the increase in the pancreatic secretion stimulated by exogenous CCK-PZ8 (0.125 micrograms X kg-1 X h-1) in rats. Thus we conclude that the increase in pancreatic secretion resulting from elimination of pancreatic juice from the intestine is attributable, in part, to increased release of CCK-PZ, and thus it is suggested that trypsin in the intestinal lumen plays a significant role in release of CCK-PZ.

Topology and quaternary structure of pro-sucrase/isomaltase and final-form sucrase/isomaltase.

Pig sucrase/isomaltase (EC 3.2.1.48/10) was purified from intestinal microvillar vesicles prepared from animals with and without pancreatic-duct ligation to obtain the single-chain pro form and the proteolytically cleaved final form respectively. The purified enzymes were re-incorporated into phosphatidylcholine vesicles and analysed by electron microscopy after negative staining. The two forms of the enzyme were observed as identical series of characteristic projected views that could be unified in a single dimeric model, containing two sucrase and two isomaltase units. This shows a homodimeric functional organization similar to that of other microvillar hydrolases. The bulk of the dimer was separated from the membrane by a maximal gap of 3.5 nm, representing a junctional segment connecting the intramembrane section of the anchor to the catalytically active domain of sucrase/isomaltase. The enzyme complex protrudes from the membrane for a distance of up to 17 nm. From charge-shift immunoelectrophoresic studies of hydrophilic prosucrase/isomaltase and from electron microscopy of reconstituted pro-sucrase/isomaltase, there was no evidence to suggest the presence of anchoring sequences between the sucrase and isomaltase subunits.

Secretin is released by digestive products of fat in dogs

We investigated the effect of fat or digestive products of fat on the release of endogenous secretin in 15 gastric fistula dogs with either pancreatic fistulas or duodenal fistulas. In 4 dogs with both gastric and duodenal cannulas, intraduodenal administration of corn oil (Lipomul) at a dose of 15 mmol resulted in a significant increase in plasma secretin concentration, whereas in another group of 4 dogs with complete pancreatic duct ligation, the same amount of triglyceride failed to increase the secretin concentration. When Lipomul incubated with pancreatic enzymes was administered in the duodenum, a marked increase in plasma secretin concentration occurred in the 4 dogs with pancreatic duct ligations. In the 7 dogs with chronic pancreatic fistulas, intraduodenal administration of Lipomul resulted in a significant increase in both plasma secretin concentration and pancreatic secretion of bicarbonate when the pancreatic juice was allowed to flow into the duodenum, whereas no increase in either the secretin concentration or bicarbonate output was apparent using the same amount of Lipomul when the pancreatic juice was diverted from the duodenum. In 4 of these 7 dogs so studied, intraduodenal administration of oleic acid emulsion, with pH adjusted to 5.0 in graded doses, resulted in a dose-related increase in the secretin concentration that paralleled pancreatic bicarbonate output. The increases in both secretin concentration and pancreatic bicarbonate secretion were completely abolished by intravenous infusion of a rabbit antisecretin serum in the 4 dogs. Thus we conclude that release of endogenous secretin plays an important role in the mechanism of exocrine pancreatic secretion stimulated by digestive products of fat in dogs.