The effects of caerulein on insulin secretion in anaesthetized dogs

1. Insulin concentration changes in pancreatico-duodenal venous plasma were studied in anaesthetized dogs injected with caerulein.2. Rises in insulin concentration were elicited by rapid intravenous injection of caerulein, as well as by intravenous infusion. Threshold doses were 10 ng/kg and 0.5-1 (ng/kg)/min respectively.3. At the highest dose used (500 ng/kg by rapid intravenous injection and (25 ng/kg)/min by intravenous infusion) the increase in immuno-reactive insulin release was approximately 7 to 9 times the base levels.4. Adrenalectomy potentiated the effects of intravenous infusion of caerulein.5. On a molar basis, caerulein was 2-3 times as active as pancreozymin.6. It is concluded that caerulein is a potent stimulant of pancreatic islets in the dog and that it may be considered as a model peptide, capable of being substituted for pancreozymin in any experiment.7. The mechanism of the insulin stimulating effect of caerulein is discussed. The possibility of a direct "beta-cytotropic" effect of the peptide is suggested.