AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 247, Issue 5 457-G462, Copyright © 1984 by American Physiological Society
Pancreatic blood flow in the rat during enlargement, involution, and cholecystokinin treatment
P. S. Oates, N. W. Bruce and R. G. Morgan
We studied the effect of raw soya flour (RSF) given as a single gavage or
for long-term periods on pancreatic blood flow. These effects were compared
with the response to treatment with cholecystokinin (CCK) since it has been
suggested that RSF feeding releases CCK. In acute experiments total
pancreatic blood flow was significantly increased after infusion of CCK (60
Ivy dog units X kg-1 X h-1) and after gavage with preparations of RSF or
heated soya flour (HSF). When expressed as flow per 100 g pancreatic
weight, the greatest increase was seen after gavage with RSF. In separate
chronic studies, total pancreatic blood flow was significantly increased in
rats fed RSF for 4 wk compared with rats fed HSF, but because of pancreatic
enlargement in rats fed RSF flow per 100 g pancreatic weight was similar in
the two groups. When rats fed RSF for 4 wk were changed to standard rat
cubes for 48 h before study, pancreatic blood flow (ml/min and ml X min-1 X
100 g pancreas-1) and total pancreatic DNA decreased significantly compared
with rats fed RSF continuously. However, when CCK was infused intravenously
during the 48-h period on cubes, pancreatic blood flow and DNA remained
significantly increased and were not significantly different from values in
rats fed RSF continuously. These results show that the effects of RSF
feeding and CCK treatment on pancreatic growth and blood flow are similar
and are consistent with the postulated role of CCK as the trophic hormone
released by RSF feeding.
