Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2026
Mouse Model for Pancreas Transplantation Using a Modified Cuff Technique
Published on: December 16, 2017
Effect of atropine and vagotomy on response of transplanted pancreas
Abstract:
It is well established that atropine and vagotomy inhibit pancreatic enzyme secretion in response to intestinal stimulants such as fat or amino acids. These effects are usually attributed to interference with hypothetical vagal cholinergic mechanisms that facilitate release of cholecystokinin. To determine whether atropine or vagotomy interferes with release of humoral stimulants of pancreatic enzyme secretion, we studied their effect on protein secretion from an autotransplanted portion of pancreas in response to intestinal stimulants in dogs. The transplanted pancreas was as sensitive as the intact pancreas to stimulation by exogenous caerulein, a cholecystokinin-like peptide, and this response was not altered by atropine or vagotomy. Therefore, if vagotomy or atropine interferes with release of humoral pancreatic stimulants, they would be expected to reduce the response of the transplanted pancreas just as they do of the intact pancreas. Truncal vagotomy caused no significant change in protein secretion from the transplant in response to intestinal perfusion with sodium oleate or tryptophan. Atropine was tested only against sodium oleate and caused no change in response. We conclude that release of humoral pancreatic excitants of protein secretion in response to intestinal stimulants is not significantly changed by atropine or vagotomy.
Insights
Atropine and vagotomy do not affect the release of pancreatic stimulants from the intestine. This suggests these interventions do not alter the release of humoral factors that trigger pancreatic enzyme secretion.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Vagal cholinergic mechanisms are thought to mediate pancreatic enzyme secretion.
- Atropine and vagotomy are known to inhibit pancreatic enzyme secretion.
- This inhibition is often attributed to interference with cholecystokinin (CCK) release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if atropine or vagotomy interfere with the release of humoral stimulants for pancreatic enzyme secretion.
- To determine the effect of these interventions on the release of intestinal factors stimulating pancreatic secretion.
Main Methods:
- Studied protein secretion from an autotransplanted canine pancreas.
- Administered intestinal stimulants like sodium oleate and tryptophan.
- Assessed pancreatic response to exogenous caerulein (a CCK-like peptide).
- Evaluated the impact of truncal vagotomy and atropine on pancreatic secretion.
Main Results:
- The transplanted pancreas responded similarly to the intact pancreas.
- Exogenous caerulein response was not altered by atropine or vagotomy.
- Truncal vagotomy did not significantly change protein secretion in response to intestinal oleate or tryptophan.
- Atropine did not alter the response to intestinal oleate.
Conclusions:
- The release of humoral pancreatic stimulants is not significantly affected by atropine or vagotomy.
- These findings challenge the traditional view of vagal cholinergic mechanisms in regulating CCK release and pancreatic secretion.
