Intravenous mixed amino acids and fats do not stimulate exocrine pancreatic secretion

We compared the responses of the canine exocrine pancreas to intraduodenal versus intravenous administration of mixed amino acids, fat emulsion, and glucose. Graded doses of amino acid mixture and of fat emulsion gave graded responses in volume, protein, and bicarbonate when administered intraduodenally. In contrast, the same doses of the amino acid mixture and fat emulsion administered by central intravenous infusion caused no significant pancreatic secretion of volume, protein, or bicarbonate. Graded doses of glucose caused no statistically significant pancreatic secretion whether they were given intraduodenally or intravenously. We conclude, contrary to a previously published observation, that amino acids and fats given parenterally do not stimulate pancreatic secretion. As a corollary, it is reasonable to assume that the pancreas is not stimulated during total parenteral nutrition with acute pancreatitis or a pancreatic fistula.