Cytological Studies on the Cause of Pancreatic Secretion

Abstract

It is well known that the functional movements of the minute structure of pancreatic cells are characteristic in that they are selective according to the property of various food stuffs. In order to inquire into the reason why this occurs the authors performed the experiments stated below.
Secretin was extracted from mucous membrane of the duodenum of pigs, by BAYLISS and STARLING's method. Rats were given several injections of this extract in quantitives of 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0cc. Comparison was made on rat given injections of sesame oil, with and without ligatures of their pylori. The same comparison was made on rats fed on artificial food.
Operations were performed on rats to lead the end of the esophagus to the surface of the bodies, so that food could not reach the stomach.
Several injections of HCl in quantities of 0.05 to 0.6% were given to rats.
The same experiments as the preceding were performed on rats with ligatured pylori.
As the results of these experiments the following conclusions were reached at:
Discharge of zymogen granules in the pancreatic cells is dominated chiefly by the amount of secretin. In the case of ligatured pylori, it was impossible to recognize discharge, regardless of what was given or the method of administration. When food reaches the stomach, production of zymogen granules could always be recognized, and this carried on without any relationship with its discharge and was directly effected from the stomach.
Hydrochloric acid alone does not cause secretion of secretin but hydrochloric acid plus a X seems to be the cause of secretion. This X is a certain substance which originates when chemical digestion is performed in the stomach. From these points the authors believe that this X is a peculiar substance that is effected by the quality of food.