[Influence of tetramethylthiuramide sulfide on the exocrine function of the pancreas]

The influence of different doses of tetramethylthiuramine sulphide (TMTDS) on the activity of the amylase, lipase and proteases in the pancreatic homogenate and the small intestine contents of albino rats was studied. Six hours after a single administration of the compound in a dose of 1/3 DL50 a 2--2.5-fold drop of the enzymatic activity in the chyme was observed and 24 hours thereafter it was inhibited in the glandular tissue as well. During the first months of a lenghty introduction of relatively small doses of TMTDS (1/20 and 1/50 DL50) a depression of the exosecretory function of the pancreas with its subsequent restoration at the 4--6th month was noted. Atropinization of the animals failed to prevent the inhibitory action of the compound on the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, this pointing to a direct effect of TMTDS on the acinal cells or to prevailing distrubances of humoral mechanisms regulating the activity of the glands.