Experimental evidence for a vagally mediated and cholecystokinin-independent enteropancreatic reflex

Truncal vagotomy results in diminished pancreatic protein secretion in response to intraduodenal fat. This diminished secretion may be due, at least in part, to interruption of the vagal reflexes between the intestine and the pancreas that work independently of cholecystokinin (CCK). In five dogs with chronic pancreatic fistulas, plasma CCK concentrations and pancreatic protein secretion in response to an intestinal stimulant (intraduodenal oleate) and to two exogenous peptides (bombesin and CCK-33) were compared before and after bilateral truncal vagotomy. Vagotomy decreased integrated protein secretion by about 50% in response to intraduodenal oleate. In contrast, protein output in response to parenteral stimuli increased after vagotomy. Integrated output of CCK in response to intraduodenal oleate or to exogenous bombesin or CCK was not significantly affected by vagotomy, but release of pancreatic polypeptide was decreased significantly in response to all stimuli after truncal vagotomy. These data provide evidence that truncal vagotomy decreases pancreatic protein secretion in response to intestinal stimulants by interrupting enteropancreatic reflexes mediated by the vagus, while maintaining normal (or supranormal) sensitivity of the pancreas to endogenous and exogenous CCK.