Exocrine function of the heterotopic transplanted pancreas segment: influence of denervation in dogs

We investigated the effect of denervation after heterotopic segmental pancreas autotransplantation on the exocrine function of the graft. The weight of the pancreas segment was determined, and secretory volume, bicarbonate output, and amylase activity were measured before and after i.v. infusion of secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK)-8. The studies were performed in untreated normal dogs, at 2 months postoperatively in partially pancreatectomized dogs with an innervated segment left in situ, and in totally pancreatectomized recipients of denervated heterotopic autotransplanted segments (approximately 30% of whole pancreas). The weight of the pancreas segment was similar in innervated and denervated dogs. Basal pancreatic secretory volume, bicarbonate output, and amylase activity were largely independent of cholinergic control. The secretory volume and bicarbonate output response to i.v. gut hormones (mainly secretin) were slightly modulated by cholinergic activity, whereas amylase response to gut hormones (mainly CCK-8) was quite independent of cholinergic control. We conclude that, after pancreas transplants, the effect of denervation on graft exocrine function is negligible--a finding that is reassuring if preserving of the exocrine tissue is important for optimal endocrine function of the graft.