Effect of alloxan diabetes on exocrine pancreatic secretion in the anesthetized rabbit

The influence of the endocrine pancreas on the exocrine pancreatic secretion of both electrolytes and enzymes was studied in rabbits made diabetic by alloxan administration. No alterations were observed in the flow of pancreatic juice. Bicarbonate concentrations were considerably increased, whereas chloride concentrations were clearly reduced in the alloxan-diabetic rabbits compared with the control animals. Insulin treatment restored anion levels to normal. Similar, although less pronounced changes were seen in the output values of bicarbonate and chloride. There were no significant differences between the control and alloxan-treated animals in the output of sodium and potassium; however, potassium concentrations exhibited a significant rise both in untreated and insulin-treated diabetic rabbits compared with the controls. Total protein and amylase secretion decreased markedly in the diabetic animals. The secretion of amylase was not brought back to control values by additional administration of insulin. These results suggest that the endocrine pancreas plays an extremely important role in exocrine pancreatic function.