Effect of somatocrinin with or without a somatostatin antiserum on pancreatic growth

The current study examines the effects of somatocrinin (GRF) and somatostatin antiserum (ASS) alone and in combination on pancreatic growth. Twenty-four-day-old rats were injected daily s.c. at 10:00 and 16:30 h for 14 days with either saline or GRF (4 and 20 micrograms X kg-1). ASS was given i.p. every other day. Pancreatic weights and DNA, RNA, protein, amylase, and chymotrypsin total contents and concentrations were evaluated at the end of treatment. GRF alone was associated with significant decreases in pancreatic weight and contents of protein, amylase, and chymotrypsin but with significant increases in total DNA content indicating pancreatic atrophy and hyperplasia. ASS alone has a slight effect on DNA content but potentiates GRF given at the dose of 4 micrograms X kg-1. Even though ASS reduced protein and enzyme contents, it prevented the large decreases observed with increasing doses of GRF. These data present for the first time effects of GRF and ASS on pancreatic growth and describe a strong interaction between the two products. It is yet too early to determine how these two substances work on the pancreatic acinar cells, but hypotheses on their possible mode of action are proposed.