The lack of effect of propranolol on the intestinal phase secretion in the dog

Four mongrel dogs were prepared with a Heidenhain pouch, a gastric fistula, and a 90-cm-long Thiry-Vella loop. After recovery, the jejunal loop was perfused for 3 h with either 5% liver extract or with 0.15 M NaCl, and measurements of gastric acid and pepsin secretion and serum gastrin levels were performed. The experiments were repeated during beta-adrenergic blockade induced by intravenous infusion of propranolol in a dose of 20 micrograms/kg/min. As control, propranolol was also given alone without intestinal perfusion. Perfusion of the jejunal loop with liver extract caused a significant acid secretion from the Heidenhain pouch and gastric fistula. In addition, significant pepsin secretion was obtained, but only from the gastric fistula. The serum gastrin levels remained unchanged during intestinal perfusion. Beta-adrenergic blockade did not influence any of these measurements. The results suggest that the intestinal-phase hormone also stimulates pepsin secretion in dogs. Furthermore, it seems that neither the release nor the action of this hormone is controlled by the beta-adrenergic nerves in the gut.