Alterations of pancreatic digestive enzyme content in the manganese-deficient rat

Previous studies suggest that manganese (Mn) may regulate pancreatic exocrine function. In this study, the effects of Mn deficiency on the pancreatic exocrine enzyme content and postweaning development were examined in male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high carbohydrate diet with 40 ppm Mn (control) or 0.5 ppm Mn (Mn deficient) for 1-10 wk. Pancreatic and hepatic Mn content were 50 and 39% of respective controls in Mn-deficient rats at wk 4. Pancreatic amylase activity was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher at wk 8 and 10 in Mn-deficient rats than in controls. Mn deficiency did not alter pancreatic lipase, chymotrypsin or trypsin activities. Dietary Mn repletion restored pancreatic Mn content but did not reverse the elevated pancreatic amylase. These results suggest that Mn may play a complex role in the postweaning development of the exocrine pancreas and the regulation of pancreatic amylase.