Comparative Studies on the Endocrine and Exocrine Function of the Pancreas After Partial Pancreatic-Duct Ligation

Abstract

The endocrine and exocrine function as well as histological changes in the pancreas were examined in dogs after partial ligation of the pancreatic duct.
The 7beta;-cell function of the islets was progressively depressed and insulin deficiency was observed after 4 months of partial ligation, whereas there was only a minor decline in α-cell function.
Such damage to pancreatic endocrine function was more severe in cases with advanced fibrosis than in cases with minimum fibrosis, as induced by partial pancreatic duct ligation.
The exocrine function of the pancreas began to decline within 1 month after ligation, and was almost completely abolished after 3 months.
Such experimental chronic pancreatitis did not affect the liver function or serum lipid levels.