Potent CCK Receptor Antagonist Research Articles

Pharmacology of CCKRs and SAR Studies of Peptidic Analog Ligands

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide originally discovered in the gastrointestinal tract but also found in high density in the mammalian brain. The C-terminal sulphated octapeptide fragment of cholecystokinin (CCK(8)) constitutes one of the major neuropeptides in the brain. CCK8, interacting with nanomolar affinities with two different receptors designated CCK1 and CCK2, has been shown to be involved in numerous physiological functions and is involved in the modulation/control of multiple central functions. In particular, CCK is involved in the neurobiology of anxiety, depression, psychosis, cognition, nociception and feeding behavior. The functional role of CCK has been facilitated thanks to the development of potent and selective CCK receptor antagonists and agonists. In this review, the strategies followed to design peptidic analog ligands will be reported, as the pharmacology of CCK receptors.

Design and Synthesis of Novel Hydrazide-Linked Bifunctional Peptides as δ/μ Opioid Receptor Agonists and CCK-1/CCK-2 Receptor Antagonists

A series of hydrazide-linked bifunctional peptides designed to act as agonists for delta/mu opioid receptors and antagonists for CCK-1/CCK-2 receptors was prepared and tested for binding to both opioid and CCK receptors and in functional assays. SAR studies in the CCK region examined the structural requirements for the side chain groups at positions 1', 2', and 4' and for the N-terminal protecting group, which are related to interactions not only with CCK, but also with opioid receptors. Most peptide ligands that showed high binding affinities (0.1-10 nM) for both delta and mu opioid receptors generally showed lower binding affinities (micromolar range) at CCK-1 and CCK-2 receptors, but were potent CCK receptor antagonists in the GPI/LMMP assay (up to Ke = 6.5 nM). The results indicate that it is reasonable to design chimeric bifunctional peptide ligands for different G-protein coupled receptors in a single molecule.

Cholecystokinin Antagonists may have Detrimental Effects on Acute Pancreatitis

, Vol. 49,pp. 266–269, 2004, entitled “Do Cholecystokinin An-tagonists Increase Cytosolic Calicium in Acinar Cellsand Thereby Promote Pancreatitis?” (1). The author re-views the findings obtained with CCK antagonists in sev-eral experimental models of pancreatitis and highlightsthe harmful effects of L364,718—a potent CCK-receptorantagonist—on acute pancreatitis (AP) induced by bile–pancreatic duct obstruction (BPDO) recently reported byDe Dios

Cholecystokinin blockade triggers earlier and enhanced intra-acinar oxygen free radical generation in acute pancreatitis induced by pancreatic duct obstruction in rats.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) has been suggested to be a contributory mediator in acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of the present study was to assess the role of CCK in the development of oxidative stress at different stages of AP induced by pancreatic duct obstruction (PDO) in rats, using L364,718 (a potent CCK-receptor antagonist) to block CCK action. Intra-acinar oxygen free radical (OFR) generation was analysed by flow cytometry using dihydrorhodamine-123 as a fluorogenic dye. Parallel measurements of pancreatic levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and of several parameters for the diagnosis of AP were performed in both untreated PDO rats and PDO rats receiving L364,718 (0.1 mg x 12 h(-1) x kg(-1)). Diagnosis parameters indicated a greater severity of AP in rats treated with the CCK antagonist. The increase in OFR generation observed in acinar cells up to 12 h after inducing AP was triggered at an earlier stages and reached higher values when L364,718 was administered. Accordingly, greater pancreatic GSH depletion was observed in rats with AP treated with the CCK antagonist. Two populations of acinar cells that were differentiated by flow cytometry, R1 and R2, showed similar behaviour with regard to OFR generation in PDO rats; however, R1 cells showed greater sensitivity to L364,718 administration, and thus OFR production was increased in R1 cells earlier than in R2 cells. In conclusion, CCK blockade anticipates and enhances the amount of OFR produced in acinar cells as a consequence of AP, thus leading to earlier development of and more severe disease. The detrimental effect of L364,718 in AP induced by PDO suggests that plasma CCK does not play a major role in the development of this AP model.

Phenotypes of mice with invalidation of cholecystokinin (CCK1 or CCK2) receptors

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide originally discovered in the gastrointestinal tract, but also found in high density in the mammalian brain. This peptide has been shown to be involved in numerous physiological functions such as feeding behavior, central respiratory control and cardiovascular tonus, vigilance states, memory processes, nociception, emotional and motivational responses. CCK interacts with nanomolar affinites with two different receptors designated CCK1 and CCK2. Primarily, the functional role of these binding sites in the brain and the periphery has been investigated thanks to the development of potent and selective CCK receptor antagonists and agonists. However, several studies have yielded conflicting data. Knockout mice provide unique opportunities to analyse diverse aspects of gene function in vivo. This review highlights recent progress in our understanding of the role of CCK1 and CCK2 receptors obtained by using mice with genetic invalidation of CCK1 or CCK2 receptors or natural CCK receptors mutants. The limits of this approach is discussed and some results were compared to those obtained by pharmacological blockade of CCK receptors by selective antagonists.

Low enzyme content in the pancreas does not reduce the severity of acute pancreatitis induced by bile-pancreatic duct obstruction.

Enzyme load in pancreas has been considered a risk factor in the development of acute pancreatitis. In order to confirm this hypothesis our aim was to analyze the development and evolution of acute pancreatitis (AP) induced by bile-pancreatic duct obstruction (BPDO) after reducing the pancreatic enzyme content. L-364,718 - a potent CCK-receptor antagonist - was administered (0.1 mg/kg/day) for 7 days before inducing AP by BPDO. The course of AP was evaluated at different times from 1.5-48 h after BPDO. Amylase and trypsinogen contents and cytosolic calcium levels were measured by flow cytometry using specific antisera against pancreatic enzymes labelled with isothiocyanate of fluorescein and Fluo 3, respectively. The severity of the disease at the different stages was evaluated by measurements of amylase activity in ascites and plasma, percentage of pancreatic fluid and haematocrit. Electron microscopy study of the pancreas showed an increased number of zymogen granules spread through the acinar cells of control rats treated with L-364,718 for 7 days, however, total enzyme content in individual acinar cells was significantly (p < 0.01) diminished. AP significantly increased intracellular amylase and trypsinogen load from 3-12 h after BPDO, and prior L-364,718 treatment enhanced the blockade of enzyme secretion. As a result, acinar enzyme content was significantly increased from earlier stages (1.5 h after BPDO). In parallel, increased cytosolic calcium levels observed up to 24 h after BPDO appeared earlier in L-364,718-treated rats than in those not treated. The severity of AP seems to have been higher in rats previously treated with the CCK-receptor antagonist as indicated by the significantly higher pancreatic fluid and amylase activity in ascites and plasma observed at different times after BPDO. Our results indicate that there is no correlation between the severity of pancreatitis and the amount of enzymes accumulated in the pancreas before the disease is induced.

Cholecystokinin antagonist L364,718 induces alterations in acinar cells that prevent improvement of acute pancreatitis induced by obstruction.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the most potent CCK receptor antagonist, L364,718, on two major factors involved in pancreatitis development: enzyme load and cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) levels in acinar cells. L364,718 (0.1 mg/kg/12 hr) was administered from 30 min before inducing acute pancreatitis (AP) by pancreatic duct obstruction (PDO) for 48 hr. The results obtained at different AP stages in PDO rats treated and not treated with the CCK antagonist were compared. Similar increases in the intracellular enzyme content were found at earlier stages of pancreatitis in all PDO rats treated or not treated with L364,718. The CCK antagonist increased cytosolic Ca2+ levels up to 6 hr after administration, inducing a higher cytosolic Ca2+ overload at the earliest stages of pancreatitis in L364,718-treated PDO rats than in those not treated. This event might justify the higher increases in ascites volume and haematocrit found in PDO rats treated with L364,718 and the exacerbation in pancreatic morphological alterations induced by PDO. The CCK receptor antagonist L364,718 produces alterations in the acinar calcium homeostasis that prevent to reduction in the severity of pancreatitis induced by obstruction.

5-(Tryptophyl)amino-1,3-dioxoperhydropyrido[1,2-c]pyrimidine-based potent and selective CCK(1)receptor antagonists: structure-activity relationship studies on the substituent at N2-position.

To establish structure-activity relationships a new series of analogues of the highly potent and selective CCK(1) receptor antagonist (4aS,5R)-2-benzyl-5-(N-Boc-tryptophyl)amino-1,3-dioxoperhydropyrido[1,2-c]-pyrimidine (1a) modified at N2-position of the central scaffold has been prepared and evaluated as CCK receptor ligands. With this aim the N2-benzyl group has been replaced by methyl, cyclohexyl, aromatic groups, 1-phenylethyl, and 1-carboxy-2-phenylethyl group. Then, substituents with different electronic and steric properties were introduced into different positions of the phenyl group of analogues 19a and 19b. The results of the CCK receptor binding and in vitro functional activity evaluation suggest the importance of the lipophilic character and an appropriate spatial orientation of the moiety linked at the N2-position of the 1,3-dioxoperhydropyrido[1,2-c]pyrimidine template for potent and selective binding and antagonist activity at CCK(1) receptor subtype. The 2-cyclohexyl and (2S)-1-naphthyl derivatives 18a and (2S)-20a have emerged as more potent and selective CCK(1) receptor antagonists than the lead compound 1a. Additionally, the results confirm the (4aS,5R)-stereochemistry at the central bicyclic skeleton as an essential structural requirement for potent binding to this receptor subtype.

Beta-Turned dipeptoids as potent and selective CCK(1) receptor antagonists.

To improve our knowledge of the bioactive conformation of CCK(1) antagonists, we previously described that replacement of the alpha-MeTrp residue of dipeptoids with the (2S,5S, 11bR)-2-amino-3-oxohexahydroindolizino[8,7-b]indole-5-carbox ylate (IBTM) skeleton, a probed type II' beta-turn mimetic, led to restricted analogues (2S,5S,11bR,1'S)- and (2S,5S,11bR, 1'R)-2-(benzyloxycarbonyl)amino-5-[1'-benzyl-2'-(carboxy)ethyl]carbam oyl-3-oxo-2,3,5,6,11,11b-hexahydro-1H-indolizino[8,7-b]indole, 1a,b, showing high binding affinity and selectivity for CCK(1) receptors. In this report, we describe the synthesis and binding profile of new analogues of compounds 1 designed to explore the importance of the C-terminal residue and of the type of beta-turn on the receptor binding affinity and selectivity. Structure-affinity relationship studies show that a C-terminal free carboxylic acid and an S configuration of the Phe and betaHph residues are favorable for CCK(1) receptor recognition. Moreover, selectivity for this receptor subtype is critically affected by the beta-turn type. Thus, while compounds 15a and 16a, containing the (2S,5S,11bR)- and (2R,5R, 11bS)-IBTM frameworks, respectively, are both endowed with nanomolar affinity for CCK(1) receptors, restricted dipeptoid derivative 15a, incorporating the type II' IBTM mimetic, shows approximately 6-fold higher CCK(1) selectivity than analogue 16a, with the type II mimetic. From these results, we propose that the presence of a beta-turn-like conformation within the peptide backbone of dipeptoids could contribute to their bioactive conformation at the CCK(1) receptor subtype. Concerning functional activity, compounds 15a and 16a behave as CCK(1) receptor antagonists.

Effects of the cholecystokinin receptor antagonist L-364,718 on pancreatitis induced by a deficient in choline and supplemented with ethionine (CDE) diet in the rat.

The role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the development of a necrotizing acute pancreatitis induced by a diet deficient in choline and supplemented with ethionine (CDE) has been evaluated in the rat by using a potent CCK receptor antagonist L-364,718. Acute pancreatitis was induced by administration of CDE diet for 14 days. L-364,718 administration was carried out by subcutaneous injections at dose of 0.1 mg/kg/day. Pancreatic exocrine secretion (flow, protein, amylase and trypsin outputs) in resting and under infusion of 1.25 microgram/kg/h of CCK-8 were used to evaluate the pancreatic functionality. Others parameters (serum amylase, percentage fluid in pancreas, haematocrit and mortality) evaluated the severity of pancreatitis. L-364,718 slightly reduced the mortality and the increases of percentage of fluid accumulated in pancreas in CDE diet acute pancreatitis. Basal and CCK stimulated pancreatic secretion was significantly depressed 36 hours after L-364,718 treatment. A slight response to CCK was observed. Nevertheless it was lower than usually observed in control rats. Our results demonstrate that in the rat, chronic L-364,718 treatment did not completely restore pancreatic activity in acute pancreatitis induced by CDE diet. Hence CCK cannot be considered as the main factor involved in the development of this pancreatitis model.

Effects of a new benzodiazepine derivative cholecystokinin receptor antagonist FK480 on pancreatic exocrine secretion in anesthetized rats

Inhibitory effects of a newly developed benzodiazepine derivative (S)-N-[1-(2-fluorophenyl)-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-4-oxo-pyrrolo-[3,2,1- jk][1,4] benzodiazepine-3yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (FK480), a cholecystokinin (CCK) -A receptor antagonist, on pancreatic exocrine secretion were examined in vivo in anesthetized rats. The antagonism produced by FK480 was competitive in nature because intraduodenal as well as intravenous infusion of FK480 (50-250 nmol/kg/hr) caused a parallel rightward shift of the entire dose-response curve for cerulein-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion without altering the maximal increase. The magnitude of the shift was proportional to the dose of FK480. The mean pA2 and ID50 values of intravenously administered FK480 were 8.2 and 24 nmol/kg/hr, respectively, and those of intraduodenally infused FK480 were 7.7 and 168 nmol/kg/hr, respectively. Thus, FK480 given by the intravenous route was about sevenfold more potent than that given by the oral route. The antagonistic effects produced by intravenous FK480 were specific for CCK receptor in that the stimulatory effects of cerulein were inhibited whereas those of bombesin and secretin were not altered. In addition, intravenous administration of 50 nmol/kg/hr FK480 completely suppressed pancreatic exocrine secretion in response to intraduodenal infusion of 10% casein (400 mg/hr). FK480 was active as a CCK receptor antagonist for more than 12 hr because oral administration of FK480 (1.0 mg/kg) had significant inhibitory effects even after 12 hr on cerulein-stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion. These results indicate that FK480 is a potent, competitive, and specific CCK receptor antagonist on the exocrine pancreas in vivo, having oral bioavailability and a long biological half-life.

Characterization of a new diphenylpyrazolidinone cholecystokinin antagonist in vitro isolated rat pancreatic acini.

The effects of a newly developed diphenylpyrazolidinone cholecystokinin (CCK) antagonist LY219,057 were examined in the isolated rat pancreatic acini and compared with those of devazepide (previously designated L364,718 or MK-329). LY219,057 caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of 100 pM CCK octapeptide (CCK-8)-stimulated amylase release, with a half-maximal inhibition (ID50) at 287.5 +/- 28.4 nM and was 200 times less potent than devazepide (ID50 = 1.4 +/- 0.2 nM). The antagonism was competitive in nature because LY219,057 caused a parallel rightward shift of the dose-response curve for CCK-8-stimulated amylase secretion without altering the maximal increase. LY219,057 significantly inhibited amylase release in response to CCK-8 and cerulein but had no effect on amylase release stimulated by other receptor secretagogs or agent bypassing receptors. LY219,057, whether added at the beginning or 20 min after the CCK-8 stimulation, inhibited amylase release. This compound caused a residual inhibition of the action of CCK-8. Acini preincubated with 1.0 microM LY219,057 for 30 min at 37 degrees C were threefold less sensitive to CCK-8 than the acini preincubated without LY219,057. These results indicate that LY219,057 acts as a potent, competitive, and specific CCK receptor antagonist of the action of CCK on the exocrine pancreas.

Involvement of Endogenous Cholecystokinin in the Development of Acute Pancreatitis Induced by Closed Duodenal Loop

Involvement of endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) in the development of acute pancreatitis induced in rats by closed duodenal loop (CDL) was examined, and the effects of the potent and specific CCK receptor antagonist loxiglumide on this model of acute pancreatitis were evaluated. Plasma CCK bioactivity was markedly elevated 3 and 6 h after onset of acute pancreatitis. A single subcutaneous injection of 50 mg/kg body wt of loxiglumide 30 min before the induction of acute pancreatitis completely eliminated the hypercholecystokinemia. Loxiglumide given 3 h after the induction of acute pancreatitis suppressed plasma CCK bioactivity, which had risen up to 30-fold over basal value (0 h) at 3 h, to nearly the basal level. Loxiglumide pretreatment, in addition, significantly prevented the rise in serum amylase and lipase activity, as well as the increase in ascitic volume. It also ameliorated histological alterations of hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis. Reduction of plasma CCK bioactivity by loxiglumide after the onset of pancreatitis slowed the rate of progression of pancreatitis. However, pancreatic wet weight and cellular infiltration were not significantly influenced by loxiglumide treatment. These observations suggest that endogenous CCK is not involved in the initiation of acute hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis induced by CDL, but is involved in the development of pancreatitis in this model.

Cholecystokinin-octapeptide stimulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function in rats: role of corticotropin-releasing hormone.

Peripherally-administered cholecystokinin (CCK) is a profound suppressor of food intake, can promote anxiety, and causes the acute release of ACTH into plasma. Centrally administered corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), on the other hand, not only represents the principal stimulus to the pituitary corticotroph cell, but also has been shown to suppress appetite and to be profoundly anxiogenic. Because of the overlap in the effects of peripherally administered CCK and of centrally administered CRH, we report here a study to determine whether sulphated CCK octapeptide (CCK-8) could induce the release of CRH within the central nervous system. To accomplish this task, we first assessed the dose-related effects of CCK-8 on ACTH release. Graded doses of CCK-8 (0.1-10 micrograms/kg BW) given in an i.v. bolus to freely moving male rats, resulted in a dose-dependent increase of plasma immunoreactive (IR)-ACTH (ED50: 1-10 micrograms/kg BW). The lowest maximal stimulatory dose of CCK-8 (5 micrograms/kg BW) was used in all subsequent experiments. To evaluate whether CCK-induced ACTH secretion was mediated by a peripheral CCK receptor, an i.v. bolus injection of vehicle or L-364,718 (1 mg/kg BW), a specific, highly potent peripheral CCK receptor antagonist, was given before the i.v. administration of CCK-8 or vehicle. Plasma IR-ACTH response to CCK-8 was significantly attenuated by L-364,718. A role for the vagal afferents that contain CCK receptors in peripherally administered CCK-mediated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation was examined in animals that had been pretreated with capsaicin, a potent neurotoxin that destroys vagal afferents. Plasma IR-ACTH and IR-corticosterone responses in capsaicin-treated animals were significantly lower than those in vehicle treated rats. In subsequent in vivo experiments, pituitary stalk-transected and sham-operated animals were used to evaluate whether CCK-8 stimulates the HPA axis via a centrally mediated mechanism. IR-ACTH and IR-corticosterone responses to i.v. CCK-8 were significantly reduced in the pituitary stalk-transected compared to sham-operated animals. In further effort to determine whether the central nervous system was involved in the plasma IR-ACTH response to the peripheral administration of i.v. CCK-8, we compared the effects of the i.v. administration of CRH antisera vs. normal rabbit serum on this parameter. IR-ACTH and IR-corticosterone responses to i.v. CCK-8 were significantly reduced in the context of pretreatment with CRH antisera compared to the administration of normal rabbit serum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

CCK and PYY do not participate in the delayed inhibition of pancreatic secretion, after stimulation by duodenal oleic acid infusion

The role played by CCK in the stimulation of pancreatic secretion by duodenal infusion of oleic acid in conscious rats was studied using a potent and specific CCK receptor antagonist. CR-1409 did not alter basal secretion, which does not require CCK. The three doses of CR-1409 that were used (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg/h) suppressed the protein response to duodenal infusion of oleic acid and significantly enhanced the delayed inhibition normally observed in control rats (−81%, −87% and −88% vs. −51% of basal in controls). CR-1409 dose-dependently reduced the volume of pancreatic secretion after duodenal infusion of oleic acid ( 0.40 ± 0.02, 0.36 ± 0.02, 0.34 ± 0.03 vs. 0.48 ± 0.04 ml/30 min for 2, 4, 8 mg/kg/h and controls, respectively) and revealed a delayed inhibition of volume and a slight reduction of bicarbonate secretion. CCK appears to be directly responsible for the protein and also water response to duodenal infusion of oleic acid, and to be indirectly involved in bicarbonate stimulation. PYY antiserum significantly augmented protein output after duodenal infusion of oleic acid ( 10.75 ± 1.40, 14.10 ± 1.60 vs. 8.60 ± 1.20 mg/30 min, 1 μl, 2 μl and controls), but failed to modify the delayed inhibition: PYY modulates the response to duodenal infusion of oleic acid and is not involved in the delayed inhibition, which was shown to be also present for volume, but which is normally masked by the action of CCK.

The Effect of the CCK Receptor Antagonist CR 1409 on Bile Reflux Pancreatitis in the Opossum

Availability of specific cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor antagonists has the potential for contributing to delineation of the role of CCK in the development of pancreatitis and, perhaps, development of new therapeutic agents for treatment of the disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a potent CCK receptor antagonist, CR 1409, on bile reflux pancreatitis. The opossum pancreatic duct enters the common duct in such a position that it is possible to ligate the common duct distal to the pancreatic duct, resulting in bile refluxing into the pancreatic duct and producing pancreatitis. CR 1409 was administered to opossums at the time of distal common duct ligation and at the time of cystic- and common ducts ligations. In a separate group, CR 1409 administration was begun 24 hours following onset of pancreatitis. Control experiments were performed, in which CR-1409 was not administered. Serum amylase, pancreas gland weights, inflammation, and systemic venous insulin, glucagon, and CCK concentrations were evaluated. Bile duct ligation resulted in significant hyperamylasemia, pancreas gland edema, inflammation, hyperglucagonemia, hypercholecystokinemia, and hypoinsulinemia. CR 1409, administered at the onset of pancreatitis, significantly decreased amylase concentrations, gland weight, and inflammation, when compared to control values. Hormonal changes associated with pancreatitis were also significantly altered by CR 1409 administration. When administered 24 hours following onset of pancreatitis, CR 1409 was not effective in altering the pancreatitis produced by bile duct ligation. The results suggest that CCK plays a permissive or contributory role in the inflammatory process and in associated hormonal changes during development of bile reflux pancreatitis in the opossum.

CCK Receptor Antagonist Loxiglumide Alters Uptake of CCK in Perfused Liver and Pancreatic Acini of the Rat

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of the specific cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor antagonist loxiglumide on hepatic and pancreatic processing of CCK-8 and the CCK analogue cerulein. Rat liver perfusion was performed in a non-recirculating system. CCK concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in perfusates from the inflow cannula (portal vein) and the outflow cannula (hepatic vein). In rat pancreatic acini, the effect of loxiglumide on internalization and surface-binding of radiolabelled CCK-8 was determined. Cerulein (20 nM, 2 nM) was extracted in a single pass through the liver by 29.7 and 25.4%, respectively. The hepatic uptake of CCK-8 (50 pM, 2 nM) was more than 90 and 89.9%, respectively. Loxiglumide drastically inhibited hepatic extraction of both peptides and reduced internalization of 125I-CCK-8 in pancreatic acini dose dependently by 39-93%. These results demonstrate that the potent CCK receptor antagonist loxiglumide significantly decreased CCK uptake by the liver and pancreas.

Precocious alteration of digestive enzyme activities in small intestine and pancreas by chronic oral administration of protease inhibitor in suckling rats

1. 1. The role of endogenous CCK in the development of digestive enyme activities in small intestine and pancreas was investigated in suckling rats. Synthetic protease inhibitor (camostat 100 μg/g bwt) was orally administered twice daily for 5 days from 11 days of age. 2. 2. Pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and alteration of pancreatic enzyme composition, especially decreases in amylase activity and increases in trypsin and chymotrypsin activities were produced by camostat treatment. These changes were completely suppressed by simultaneous administration of the potent CCK receptor antagonist L-364,718 (1 μg/g bwt). 3. 3. With camostat treatment, intestinal lactase activity decreased to 41%, while maltase and sucrase activities increased 3 and 2.5 times respectively. These changes in enzyme activities were not affected by the application of L-364,718. 4. 4. The mucosal disaccharidase and pancreatic enzyme activities could not be modified by chronic subcutaneous injection of camostat. The precocious induction of maltase and sucrase activities by camostat treatment was also observed in the adrenalectomized pups. 5. 5. These results indicate that pancreatic growth accompanied by alteration of digestive enzyme composition in the suckling rats is regulated by endogenous CCK, but the precocious induction of disaccharidase activities is not mediated by endogenous CCK released by camostat treatment.

Chronic Administration of a Potent Cholecystokinin Receptor Antagonist, L-364,718, Fails to Inhibit Pancreas Growth in Preweanling Rats

We examined whether endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) is involved in growth of the preweanling rat pancreas. Twice daily for 14 days, 7-day-old neonatal rats received an oral gavage of either 2.5 mg/kg or 5.0 mg/kg of the potent and specific CCK receptor antagonist L-364,718 (the 2.5 mg/kg dose of antagonist was shown in the present study to abolish totally the pancreas growth-promoting effects of exogenously administered caerulein (CR) in neonatal rats). Control pups received oral gavages of the L-364,718 vehicle alone. The final body weights, pancreas weights, total pancreatic DNA contents, and total pancreatic protein contents did not differ significantly between the 21-day-old control pups and the 21-day-old pups that were pretreated for 14 days with either the low or the high doses of L-364,718. These findings suggest that endogenous CCK is not required for growth of the neonatal rat pancreas.

Reduced cholecystokinin mediates the inhibition of pancreatic growth induced by bile salts

The effects of luminal bile salts on plasma levels of cholecystokinin (CCK) and growth of the pancreas in mice were studied. Nonfasting levels of plasma CCK in control mice were 8.1 +/- 1.5 pM. Feeding mice a 0.5% (wt/wt) sodium taurocholate-supplemented diet for 1 wk significantly lowered nonfasting levels of plasma CCK to 4.1 +/- 0.5 pM and decreased the total contents of pancreatic DNA by 22%, RNA by 25%, and protein by 24%. All of the inhibitory effects of taurocholate on pancreatic growth were completely reversed by the simultaneous administration of CCK-8 (3 micrograms/kg, 3 times daily). In contrast, intraluminal neutralization of endogenous bile salts by feeding a 4% (wt/wt) cholestyramine-supplemented diet for 1 wk significantly elevated nonfasting levels of plasma CCK to 14.7 +/- 1.5 pM and increased the total contents of pancreatic DNA by 34%, RNA by 40%, and protein by 35%. All of the stimulatory actions of cholestyramine on pancreatic growth were completely abolished by the administration of the highly potent and specific CCK-receptor antagonist L364,718 (1 mg/kg, twice daily). These findings, therefore, indicate that bile salts appear to play a physiological role in pancreatic growth by regulation of plasma levels of CCK.