The role of antisecretory factor in pancreatic exocrine secretion: studies in vivo and in vitro

What is the central question of this study? Antisecretory factor, an endogenous protein detected in many tissues of the body, is known as an inhibitor of intestinal secretion, but its role in pancreatic exocrine secretory function has not yet been investigated. What is the main finding and its importance? In a rodent model, we show that antisecretory factor reduces pancreatic exocrine secretion, probably via its direct action on the pancreatic acini and via modulation of the enteropancreatic reflexes involving cholecystokinin and sensory nerves. Antisecretory factor (AF) regulates ion and water transport through the intestinal cell membrane. Antisecretory factor inhibits intestinal secretion, but its effect on the exocrine pancreas has not yet been shown. We investigated the effect of AF on pancreatic amylase secretion in vivo and in vitro using pancreatic acini isolated by collagenase digestion. For the in vivo study, Wistar rats were surgically equipped with silicone catheters, inserted into the pancreaticobiliary duct and into the duodenum. Capsaicin was used to deactivate the sensory nerves in turn to assess their involvement in the effects of AF on the exocrine pancreas. Antisecretory factor (1, 3 or 10 μg kg(-1) i.p.) was given in basal conditions or following stimulation of pancreatic secretion with diversion of pancreaticobiliary juice. For the in vitro study, rat pancreatic acini were incubated in the presence of increasing doses of AF (from 10(-8) to 10(-5)  m) alone or in combination with caerulein (10(-12)  m). Cytoplasmic cholecystokinin 1 (CCK1 ) receptor protein was detected by Western blot and immunoprecipitation studies. Antisecretory factor markedly reduced the output of pancreatic amylase both in basal conditions and when stimulated by diversion of pancreaticobiliary juice. Deactivation of the sensory nerves with capsaicin completely reversed the inhibitory effects of AF on the exocrine pancreas. Caerulein-induced enzyme secretion from the pancreatic acini was inhibited by AF, whereas basal secretion was unaffected. Administration of AF to the rats significantly diminished the synthesis of CCK1 receptor protein. We conclude that AF inhibits pancreatic exocrine secretion indirectly via sensory nerves and directly decreases amylase release from isolated pancreatic acini. The direct inhibitory action of AF on the exocrine pancreas could be related, at least in part, to a reduction of CCK1 receptors on pancreatic acinar cells.