Pancreatic lysosomal enzyme secretion is changed by hepatectomy in rats

To explore the effect of hepatectomy on the secretion of lysosomal enzymes into the pancreatic juice when stimulated by gut hormones, we evaluated the cerulein-stimulated amylase output and cathepsin B output into pancreatic juice, the amylase and cathepsin B content in pancreatic tissue, and the distribution of cathepsin B in acinar cells in the regenerating (4 days) and recovering (8 days) stages after about 70% hepatectomy in rats. Amylase output was significantly higher after hepatectomy than in the control groups. Cathepsin B was secreted into the pancreatic juice after stimulation by cerulein in both the control and the hepatectomized groups, but, particularly 4 days after hepatectomy, cathepsin B output was significantly higher than in the controls, and in the acinar cells redistribution of cathepsin B was found. These changes in cathepsin B disappeared in the recovery stage (8 days) after hepatectomy. In addition, the amylase content in pancreatic tissue was significantly greater in the hepatectomized than in the control rats, but the cathepsin B content did not show any significant change. These results indicate that cerulein can stimulate the secretion of lysosomal enzyme into the pancreatic juice, as it does the secretion of digestive enzymes. Moreover, it appears that the synthesis and secretion of amylase in and from the acinar cells is increased after hepatectomy and that a redistribution of lysosomal enzyme occurs in the acinar cells.