Intrapancreatic cholecystokinin mediates vagally stimulated exocrine secretion from the rat pancreas

Although cholecystokinin is localized within neuronal fibres of the pancreas, a physiological role for intrapancreatic cholecystokinin has not been identified. The strategy of this study was to elicit pure vagal stimulation electrically, and to use specific receptor antagonists to identify the mediators of exocrine pancreatic secretion. We conclude that vagal stimulation of the rat pancreas involves ganglionic neurotransmission and release of acetylcholine and cholecystokinin from intrapancreatic, postganglionic fibres. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a physiological role for intrapancreatic cholecystokinin.