Relationship between plasma pH and pancreatic HCO3- secretion at different intravenous secretin infusion rates

The relationship between pancreatic HCO3- secretion and plasma pH during acute systemic acid-base changes was investigated in 6 anesthetized, artificially ventilated pigs (20-25 kg) at 2 different, i.v. secretion infusion rates. At 0.45 C.U./kg b. wt. h-1 secretin infusion and plasma pH 7.40 +/- 0.01 pancreatic HCO3- secretion averaged 61+/- 12 mumol/min. Stepwise lowering of plasma pH through i.v. infusion of HCl and CO2 administration to inspired air proportionately reduced secretion rate; estimated zero HCO3- secretion occurring at plasma pH 7.01. Subsequent i.v. secretin infusion at 2.70 C.U./kg b. wt. h-1 increased HCO3- secretion to 249 +/- 42 mumol/min at plasma pH 7.33 + 0.04; stepwise lowering of plasma pH proportionately reduced HCO3- secretion to estimated zero at plasma pH 6.71. A reduction of plasma pH by 0.1 pH unit reduced HCO3- secretion during low and high rate of i.v. secretin infusion by 18 +/- 3 mumol/min and 35 +/- 8 mumol/min, respectively. Secretin infusion rate did not affect pancreatic chloride excretion. These findings support the view that secretin increases HCO3- secretion, and hence proton transport to the interstitial fluid, by augmenting the proton motive force developed by HCO3- secreting cells.