Canine pancreatic responses to intracolonic perfused nutrients

To study the effect intracolonic perfusion of nutrients has on exocrine pancreatic secretion, six dogs were prepared with gastric, duodenal, and cecal cannulas using a modified Thomas technique. In our study protocol, we collected pancreatic juice by selective ductal cannulation after having applied several types of intracolonic stimulation: perfusion of sodium chloride, tryptophan, rice starch + glucose, or sodium oleate. All these solutions were applied together with a background dose of intravenous secretin. Our results showed a significant increase in the volume of pancreatic juice and bicarbonate output after intracolonic perfusion of sodium oleate. Other perfusions did not change these parameters. Protein output did not change in any of the cases. It seems that the ascending colon plays a regulating role in pancreatic secretion; in some conditions the colon could increase exocrine pancreatic function.