Effects of isosorbide dinitrate on pancreatic exocrine secretion in the dog

The effects of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) on pancreatic exocrine secretion were investigated after intravenous administration in the whole animal and after close-arterial administration on the isolated and blood-perfused dog pancreas preparations. ISDN (10-100 micrograms/kg), injected into the femoral vein, caused a dose-dependent increase in flow rate of pancreatic juice and in protein concentration of the pancreatic juice. Close-arterial injections of ISDN (100-1000 micrograms) produced a dose-dependent increase in perfusion blood flow, flow rate of pancreatic juice and protein concentration of the pancreatic juice without affecting its bicarbonate concentration. These vascular and secretory effects were not modified by pretreatment with atropine. From these data, it is suggested that ISDN induces pancreatic enzyme secretion by acting directly on the acinar cells of the pancreas.