Central alpha 2 adrenoceptor-mediated pancreatic exocrine response to yohimbine in anesthetized dog

Effects of yohimbine on the secretion of pancreatic juice in anesthetized dogs were investigated. Intravenous yohimbine (0.1-1 mg/kg) caused dose-dependent increases in the secretion of pancreatic juice and vasodilation. However, intra-arterial yohimbine (0.3-1 mg) did not cause any secretory responses. The secretory activity of 0.3 mg/kg of yohimbine was approximately equal to that of 0.04 U/kg of secretin and 40 mg/kg of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG). Secretory responses to yohimbine were inhibited by pretreatment with clonidine or atropine and abolished by vagotomy. The concentration of protein in the pancreatic juice induced by yohimbine was increased, but the bicarbonate concentration was scarcely changed. These results indicate that yohimbine stimulates, at least in part, pancreatic exocrine secretion by acting on the central alpha 2 adrenoceptor in the dog.