Stimulatory effect of pancreastatin on gastric acid secretion in conscious dogs

Pancreastatin, a new 49-amino acid peptide, has recently been isolated and characterized from extracts of the porcine pancreas. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of various doses of pancreastatin on gastric acid secretion in conscious dogs that were prepared with chronic gastric cannulas. Pancreastatin, administered IV at 400 pmol.kg-1 x h-1, enhanced peptone meal [peptone (5%), phenylalanine (90 mmol/L), glucose (12 g/dL)]-stimulated gastric acid secretion by 50%; pancreastatin at 800 pmol.kg-1 x h-1 enhanced peptone meal secretion by 165% (P less than 0.05). Intravenous administration of pancreastatin did not affect basal or peptone-stimulated release of gastrin. In addition, IV pancreastatin (400 pmol.kg-1 x h-1) failed to influence basal gastric acid secretion. Pancreastatin did not affect acid secretion stimulated by 2-deoxyglucose, histamine, or pentagastrin. The present study shows that pancreastatin can selectively enhance gastric acid secretion by a mechanism independent of cholinergic, histaminergic, or gastrin input.

Differential effects of gut hormones on pancreatic and intestinal growth during administration of an elemental diet

Liquid elemental diets (ED) will, in time, cause atrophy of the gut. Pentagastrin (PG), neurotensin (NT), and bombesin (BBS) are peptides that have trophic effects on the gut of normal rats. This study examined the effect of these three agents on gut atrophy produced by ED. Four groups of rats were given an ED and injected with either saline (control), PG (250 micrograms/kg), NT (300 micrograms/kg), or BBS (10 micrograms/kg) subcutaneously every 8 hours for 5 or 10 days. A fifth group was fed rat chow ad libidum. The rats were killed on day 6 or 11; the pancreas and segments of small intestine were removed. Atrophy of ileal mucosa was apparent on days 6 and 11, and atrophy of jejunal mucosa was manifest by day 11. Bombesin prevented jejunal mucosal atrophy and significantly increased ileal mucosal growth (compared with control). Neurotensin prevented the jejunal, but not the ileal, mucosal atrophy produced by ED. Pentagastrin had no effect on gut mucosa. Bombesin and PG, but not NT, stimulated pancreatic growth. Neurotensin stimulates pancreaticobiliary secretions (PBS), which are known to stimulate gut growth. Jejunoileal bypass was performed to determine whether trophic effects of NT on gut mucosa were mediated through stimulation of PBS. After 1 week treatment, animals were killed and segments of intestine removed. As expected NT was trophic for gut mucosa in continuity with the luminal stream; furthermore NT produced significant stimulation of growth of gut mucosa in the bypassed segment. We conclude that both BBS and NT are trophic for intestinal mucosa of rats given ED; both agents have a more pronounced effect on jejunum. The trophic effect of NT is mediated, in part, by a mechanism unrelated to stimulation of PBS. Bombesin and NT may have important regulatory functions in the adaptive growth of small bowel mucosa and in the maintenance of gut mucosal integrity.

Terbutaline, a beta 2-adrenoreceptor agonist, inhibits gastric acid secretion and stimulates release of peptide YY and gastric inhibitory polypeptide in dogs

Terbutaline, a beta 2-adrenoreceptor agonist, inhibits pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of intravenous administration of terbutaline on plasma levels of peptide YY (PYY) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), both of which are known to inhibit gastric acid secretion. Seven dogs with gastric and duodenal fistulas were given pentagastrin (1 microgram/kg/hr) intravenously for 150 min in combination with terbutaline (10 or 20 micrograms/kg/hr) or saline during the 60- to 120-min period of pentagastrin infusion. Pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion was significantly (P less than 0.05) inhibited by intravenous administration of terbutaline. Terbutaline significantly increased plasma PYY levels, 24% in response to terbutaline at 10 micrograms/kg/hr, and 59% at 20 micrograms/kg/hr. Plasma GIP levels were also increased significantly, 24% with terbutaline at 10 micrograms/kg/hr, and 39% at 20 micrograms/kg/hr. Our data suggest that terbutaline-induced inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion is mediated, at least in part, by the release of PYY and GIP. The adrenergic nervous system may influence gastric acid secretion through the release of PYY and GIP.

Effect of age and sensitivity to cholecystokinin on gallstone formation in the guinea pig

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of age and the role of cholecystokinin therapy on gallstone formation in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs (31 1-mo-old, 31 1-yr-old, and 23 3-yr-old) were placed on a cholelithogenic diet for 2 wk while another 10 guinea pigs of each age group remained on regular chow. Half of each group received a daily injection of cholecystokinin (0.5 nmol/kg). After 2 wk, guinea pigs were killed and the gallbladders were examined for gallstones. The concentrations of bile constituents were determined. The prevalence of gallstones was: 1-mo-old, control 0 out of 16, cholecystokinin 1 out of 15; 1-yr-old, control 3 out of 14, cholecystokinin 5 out of 16; 3-yr-old, control 10 out of 11, cholecystokinin 3 out of 8. Gallstone formation was significantly greater in 3-yr-old controls than in the two younger control groups, and cholecystokinin treatment significantly reduced the incidence of gallstones to near the level seen in younger guinea pigs. In the two younger age groups (but not in the 3-yr-old group), the cholelithogenic diet significantly reduced the concentration of bile salts in bile below that of guinea pigs on a normal diet. The cholelithogenic diet and treatment with cholecystokinin did not alter the relative compositions of bile lipids from that of guinea pigs on a normal diet in any of the three ages studied. In the second experiment we measured gallbladder emptying in response to exogenous infusion of cholecystokinin-8 (100 fmol/kg/h-100 nmol/kg/h) in the same three age groups of guinea pigs in vivo that had been maintained on regular chow. There was no difference in cholecystokinin sensitivity between the two younger age groups, but both were significantly more sensitive to cholecystokinin than the 3-yr-old guinea pigs in rate of gallbladder emptying in the dose range 1 pmol/kg/h-1 nmol/kg/h. We conclude that a major factor in the increased incidence of gallstone formation in the aged guinea pig gallstone model is decreased gallbladder emptying due to decreased gallbladder sensitivity to cholecystokinin.

Additive interactions of calcitonin gene-related peptide and calcitonin on pancreatic exocrine function in conscious dogs

By convention, establishing a physiologic role for a gut peptide requires demonstration of biologic activity that can be reproduced by exogenous administration of the peptide in amounts that yield plasma concentrations that are not higher than those found after a meal. We have tested the hypothesis that the combined action of two inhibitory peptides may lower the effective doses of each. We further hypothesize that combined peptide responses may be responsible for the action of peptide hormones that have been difficult to demonstrate as physiologically relevant mediators, when examined as independently acting substances. In conscious dogs prepared with chronic pancreatic cannulas, stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretions were depressed in a dose-related manner by intravenous infusions of calcitonin (CT) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Doses of 2.0 nmol/kg/hr of both CT and CGRP yielded maximal inhibition of stimulated secretions of both bicarbonate (greater than 85% inhibition) and protein (greater than 55% inhibition). The lowest effective dose for either CT or CGRP, given alone, was 0.75 nmol/kg/hr, but when infused simultaneously, each at the subthreshold dose of 0.50 nmol/kg/hr, significant inhibition of protein and bicarbonate secretion was achieved. Combined infusions of the submaximal dose of 0.75 nmol/kg/hr resulted in an enhanced inhibitory response. To prove that this effect is not simply combined activation of a common receptor, we tested peptide YY (0.1 to 0.5 nmol/kg/hr) combined with CGRP and obtained similar results. Because a meal simultaneously releases a large number of active peptides, we speculate that such potentiated responses do occur physiologically. Cooperative interaction with other agents may be the primary mode of action for certain gut peptides.

In vivo comparison of inhibition with proglumide and CR-1409 of cholecystokinin-induced pressure in the biliary tract of the guinea pig

This study was done to compare the effects of two cholecystokinin antagonists, proglumide and CR-1409, on cholecystokinin-induced changes in intrabiliary pressure in vivo. We have substantially modified the constant infusion biliary manometry model, successfully used in large animals, to measure contractility of the gallbladder in guinea pigs. A silicone catheter for manometry was placed in the fundus of the gallbladder of an anesthetized guinea pig, and the biliary tree was constantly infused at 0.1 milliliter per minute with normal saline solution. The intraluminal pressure of the system was continuously recorded. The model was used to demonstrate a dose-response curve to bolus administration of exogenous cholecystokinin (0.01 to 1.0 nanomole per kilogram) and also to study the actions of proglumide, an antagonist to gastrin and cholecystokinin, and CR-1409, a newer, specific cholecystokinin antagonist, on cholecystokinin-induced contraction of the gallbladder of the guinea pig in vivo. Proglumide, at a dose of 5 millimoles per kilogram, completely abolished increases in intrabiliary pressure caused by cholecystokinin (0.5 nanomole per kilogram), whereas this effect was achieved by only 5 micromoles per kilogram of CR-1409. In both, there was full recovery from cholecystokinin antagonism within one hour. CR-1409 is one thousand times more potent than proglumide against cholecystokinin-induced changes in intrabiliary pressure in vivo and appears to be a useful pharmacologic reagent to study cholecystokinin-mediated components of physiologic contraction of the gallbladder.

Effect of somatostatin and tamoxifen on the growth of human pancreatic cancers in nude mice

We studied the effects of SMS 201-995 (SMS), a somatostatin analog, and tamoxifen, an antagonist of estrogenic actions, on the growth of human pancreatic cancers (SKI and PGER) in vivo. Male nude mice were inoculated with either SKI or PGER by passage of tumor chunks (3 mm2) to the scapular region. Mice from each tumor group were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: group 1, control group; group 2, SMS (100 micrograms/kg t.i.d.); group 3, tamoxifen (10 mg/kg three times a week); and group 4, SMS (100 micrograms/kg t.i.d.) + tamoxifen (10 mg/kg three times a week). The somatostatin analog, SMS, given alone or as a combined regimen with tamoxifen, significantly reduced (a) the rate of growth of SKI, and (b) DNA, RNA, and protein content of the tumors. On the other hand, in the case of PGER tumors, none of the treatment regimens significantly influenced the growth of PGER in vivo. Despite showing no significant effects during the study, PGER tumors in mice receiving tamoxifen alone had significantly lower total DNA, RNA, and protein contents compared to control tumors; this was reversed on combined treatment with SMS. None of the growth parameters of PGER was effected by SMS alone. We conclude that, in the case of SKI, SMS with or without tamoxifen was effective as a growth inhibitory agent, whereas in the case of PGER, tamoxifen alone was effective. This finding suggests that independent pathways mediate the growth-inhibitory effects of tamoxifen and SMS, and that different pancreatic cancers may respond to the two agents differently, some with inhibition, some not.

Intestinal phase of pancreatic polypeptide release: the effect of segmental perfusion of the small intestine with various secretagogues

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of various nutrients perfused selectively into isolated sections of the small intestine on the release of pancreatic polypeptide (PP). Six dogs were prepared with chronic gastric, duodenal, and three permanent intestinal fistulas (one distal to the ligament of Treitz, one in the terminal ileum, and one halfway between). After a 24-h fast, the duodenum was perfused for 45 min (200 ml/h) via the duodenal limb with HCl (30 mM), an amino acid solution (50 mM), or sodium oleate (NaO, 40 mM). In separate studies, the jejunal and ileal segments were isolated by inflating two balloon catheters via the intestinal fistula, and these segments were perfused as described earlier. Plasma PP, cholecystokinin (CCK)-33, and secretin levels were measured. Results of this study showed that the perfusion of all segments of the small intestine with amino acid caused a significant elevation of plasma PP levels. Perfusion of the duodenum and jejunum but not the ileum with a fatty acid resulted in a significant elevation of plasma levels of PP. Perfusion of HCl into any segment did not affect plasma levels of PP. This study shows that PP is released by the presence of nutrients in all segments of the small intestine, and that a PP elevation was always accompanied with a rise in plasma levels of CCK-33.

The pathology of an inherited hyperlipoproteinaemia of cats

The gross and histological features of congenital lipoprotein lipase deficiency are described in eight cats. The main histological features could be directly related to the presence of the chylomicronaemia. They consisted of lipid accumulation within clear vacuoles or ceroid accumulation within residual bodies in parenchymatous organs such as the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, kidney and adrenal gland. Xanthomata were seen in various sites, probably arising either from frank haemorrhage or the leakage of lipid-rich plasma perivascularly. As in human lipoprotein lipase deficiency there was no evidence of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Focal degenerative changes were, however, present within arteries and this may indicate blood vessel weakness and explain the tendency to haemorrhage and xanthomata/granulomata formation. The degeneration and fibrous replacement of glomeruli and nephrons possibly arises from pressure necrosis of adjacent xanthomata and alterations in renal blood flow.

Effect of oral fat on plasma levels of neurotensin and neurotensin fragments in humans. Characterization by high-pressure liquid chromatography

The effect of ingestion of fat (Lipomul 1 g/kg) on the circulating levels of neurotensin (NT1-13) and amino-terminal fragments (NT1-8, NT1-11) and carboxy-terminal fragment (NT8-13) of NT were investigated in six healthy male volunteers. NT and NT fragments were extracted from plasma collected at 0, 15, 30, and 60 min after ingestion of fat, and the plasma levels of NT1-13 and NT fragments were characterized using high-pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay techniques. Significant elevations of plasma levels of NT1-8, NT1-11, and NT1-13 were observed at 15, 30, and 60 min after fat ingestion. The maximum elevations were 273% for NT1-8, 234% for NT1-11, and 54% for NT1-13. NT8-13 levels failed to rise significantly when compared to basal levels. These findings indicate that both the amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal fragments of NT are either released along with intact NT or are formed as metabolites from NT1-13 in response to ingestion of fat in man.

Gastrinoma

The Zollinger-Ellison syndrome with its main symptom of massive gastric hypersecretion presents problems with both the medical and surgical approaches to treatment. Successful medical treatment depends on a life-long commitment to rigid medication schedules requiring careful ongoing supervision and is subject to pitfalls of compliance, drug side effects, drug resistance, and complications of persistent tumor growth. Surgical therapy carries risks of operative mortality and complications. If a low operative mortality can be maintained and the nutritional results after total gastrectomy are good, then it is the authors' opinion that the permanent relief from dangers of hypersecretion afforded by total gastrectomy makes surgery a worthwhile approach. Based on our operative experience in 34 patients and interpretation of the experience of others, we believe that resection of all tumor that can be resected, combined with total gastrectomy, is safe and dependable. The results compare well with those of long-term medical management.

Effects of gastrointestinal peptides on gastrointestinal cancer growth

The trophic effect of gut hormones may have important clinical applications for treatment of gut and pancreatic cancers. We now have developed methods by which we can quantitate gut hormone receptors in normal and neoplastic gut mucosa and pancreas. Analysis of gut and pancreatic tumors for gut hormone receptors may thus allow us to select patients with these cancers who would respond to treatment with hormones, antihormones, or hormone ablation in a manner similar to current strategies that are employed successfully for treatment of patients with breast cancer.

[Cellular localization, half-life, and secretion of peptide YY]

Tissue and plasma concentration of peptide YY (PYY) were measured by means of a radioimmunoassay (RIA) developed in our laboratory, using a specific PYY antiserum generated in New Zealand white rabbits against synthetic PYY, and dextran-coated charcoal to terminate the assay. Cellular localization of PYY was studied immunohistochemically using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. The highest tissue concentration of PYY was found in the mucosa of the terminal ileum and colon. PYY-containing secretory granules were primarily found in the basal pole of open-type endocrine cells. Basal plasma concentration of PYY was 70 +/- 9 pg/ml and rose to 357 +/- 30 pg/ml during the IV administration of PYY at 400 pmol/kg-h. A significant correlation was found (r = 0.94, p less than 0.05) between dose of PYY (12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 pmol/kg-h, IV) and plasma concentration of PYY. The calculated half-life of PYY in plasma was 8.3 +/- 1.9 minutes. Plasma concentration of PYY during the intraduodenal administration of sodium oleate (150 +/- 20 pg/ml) or long-chain triglyceride (187 +/- 37 pg/ml) was similar to plasma concentration of PYY obtained during the IV administration of PYY at 100 pmol/kg-h. Plasma concentration of PYY raised (126 +/- 10 pg/ml) after the administration of bombesin (400 pmol/kg-h, IV). Bile enhanced release of PYY. The present study suggests a hormonal role for PYY.

The ultrastructural pathology of five lipoprotein lipase-deficient cats

The ultrastructural pathology of cats suffering from familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency is described. There were large numbers of lipid vacuoles within hepatocytes, epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubule of kidney and macrophages of the liver, spleen and lymph node. The older cats tended to have larger quantities of ceroid within hepatocytes and macrophages, and all stages of development of ceroid were observed. Chylomicron emboli were seen within the glomerular capillaries and interlobular blood vessels. There was podocyte foot fusion and thickening of basement membranes of glomeruli, Bowman's capsule and some proximal convoluted tubules, similar to that seen in diabetes mellitus. These changes represent a non-specific reaction of the kidney to noxious insults such as hypoxia caused by emboli. Transformation of smooth muscle cells from a contractile to a synthetic state was seen in the splenic trabeculae and, to a lesser extent, in blood vessels. Dilatations of the nuclear membrane of the lymphocytes were noted, the significance of which is unknown.

A comparison of intraduodenally and intracolonically administered nutrients on the release of peptide-YY in the dog

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of various nutrients (fats, proteins, amino acids, and carbohydrates), given directly into the duodenum or the colon, on the release of peptide-YY (PYY) in conscious dogs. As reported previously, this study showed that plasma levels of PYY increased significantly (P less than 0.05) within 15 min in response to an oral mixed meal. Intraduodenal (ID) administration of a fatty acid (oleic acid; 100 mmol/L; 100 ml/h) stimulated a robust release of PYY, whereas ID administration of an amino acid mixture (phenylalanine plus tryptophan; 100 mmol/L each; 100 ml/h), glucose (1 g/kg), or a liver extract (10%; 100 ml/h) failed to elevate plasma levels of PYY. ID administration of glucose at 2 g/kg caused a mild but significant elevation in plasma PYY levels. Intracolonic administration of saline, a fatty acid, an amino acid mixture, glucose, or a liver extract significantly stimulated PYY release. This study suggests that as chyme moves from the stomach to the proximal bowel, fat is the primary constituent of food that stimulates the prompt release of PYY. However, unabsorbed nutrients can release PYY by a direct contact with the PYY-containing cells lining the intestinal lumen of the terminal ileum, colon, and rectum. Both mechanisms probably participate in the release of PYY.

Parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related protein inhibit phasic contraction of pig duodenal smooth muscle

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and a newly discovered PTH-related protein (PTHrP), which has amino-terminal homology with PTH, are potent relaxants of rat gastrointestinal tissues. Since their gastrointestinal relaxant effects have been described only in the rat, we examined their actions in another mammalian species in order to evaluate whether the relaxant property was more generally applicable. Longitudinal smooth muscle strips were obtained from the pig duodenum. The mucosa was removed, the strips were mounted in a tissue chamber, and changes in phasic contraction were detected with a force-displacement transducer and recorded using a polygraph. Acetylcholine-induced phasic contraction was inhibited rapidly in a dose-related manner by [Nle8,18,Tyr34]-bPTH-(1-34)-amide, or hPTHrP-(1-34). The IC50 values for these peptides were 2.6 nM and 6.1 nM, respectively. The maximal effect of both peptides was observed at 60 nM with an 84% decrease of the acetylcholine-induced contraction. At 400 nM, the PTH antagonist, [Nle8,18,Tyr34]-bPTH-(3-34)-amide, had no effect by itself. However, the same 400 nM concentration of this peptide totally blocked the decrease in phasic contraction induced by 10 nM of the bPTH-(1-34) analogue or hPTHrP-(1-34). Our results show that receptors for PTH or PTHrP are present in the muscular layer of the pig duodenum and that activation of these receptors inhibits the phasic contraction of the tissue. Furthermore, the ability of PTH-related peptides to relax gastrointestinal smooth muscle is not restricted to the rat.

Twenty-four-hour variations in ornithine decarboxylase and acid phosphatase in mice

Polyamines are essential for cell growth and differentiation. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis. Acid phosphatases (AP) are lysosomal enzymes that are important in normal intracellular metabolism. Twenty-four-hour variations in these enzymes may be important in understanding the temporal responses of different tissues to various stimuli. The purpose of this study was to examine a variety of tissues for fluctuations in the levels of ODC and AP over a 24-hr period. Significant circadian variations in the amount of ODC activity were observed in all tissues examined. Activity of AP varied with time of day in the liver, kidney, and heart. The highest and lowest measurements of ODC activity were as follows: liver, 81.5 +/- 7.0, 47.9 +/- 4.4; colon, 11.7 +/- 1.2, 3.1 +/- 0.7; stomach 3.1 +/- 0.4, 0.9 +/- 0.1; kidney, 420.9 +/- 0.9, 67.5 +/- 0.8; and heart, 4.7 +/- 1.0, 2.5 +/- 0.2. The highest and lowest measurements of AP activity were as follows: liver 3.8 +/- 0.1, 2.8 +/- 0.1; kidney, 3.4 +/- 0.1, 1.9 +/- 0.1; and heart, 2.6 +/- 0.1, 2.0 +/- 0.1. These findings suggest that rhythmic fluctuations in polyamine biosynthesis and lysosomal enzymes may influence other metabolic pathways differentially throughout 24 hr.

Endogenous cholecystokinin regulates growth of human cholangiocarcinoma

Exogenous administration of cholecystokinin (CCK) or caerulein inhibits growth of SLU-132, a human cholangiocarcinoma that we have shown to possess receptors for CCK. Chronic administration of cholestyramine, a resin that binds bile salts, increases release of CCK and growth of the pancreas in guinea pigs. Feeding the bile salt, taurocholate, inhibits meal-stimulated release of CCK. The purpose of this study was to determine whether endogenous CCK affects growth of the human cholangiocarcinoma, SLU-132. We implanted SLU-132 subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. The bile salt pool was depleted by feeding 4% cholestyramine for 40 days, either alone or enriched with 0.5% taurocholate for 32 days. When the mice were killed, tumors and pancreas were removed. Cholestyramine significantly inhibited the growth of SLU-132 and stimulated growth of the normal pancreas. Feeding of taurocholate acted to stimulate tumor growth. These results demonstrate that endogenous levels of CCK regulate growth of this human cholangiocarcinoma. Our findings suggest that manipulation of levels of endogenous gut hormones may, in the future, play a role in management of patients with certain gastrointestinal cancers.

Pathogenesis of renal lesions in haemoglobinaemic and non-haemoglobinaemic leptospirosis

Hamsters were infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar ballum or Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona and the kidney lesions were compared by light and electron microscopy. Ballum and pomona both caused severe clinical signs and death within 6 days in some animals, although only ballum was associated with red blood cell destruction and haemoglobinaemic nephrosis. With ballum infections it is difficult to distinguish degenerate changes resulting from leptospiral "toxins" from those resulting from hypoxia and haemoglobinaemic nephrosis because large numbers of organisms and haemoglobinaemia coincide shortly before death. Although large numbers of leptospires were seen within the renal interstitium and blood vessels in animals dying shortly after infection, organisms were seen only in the proximal convoluted tubules of those surviving until 14 days. It is thought that leptospires are carried by the bloodstream and migrate at random throughout all body tissues. When antibody develops, only those in the renal tubules remain. The random migration results in some leptospires entering tubules at all levels of the nephron but there are good grounds for believing that the normal changes in composition of the glomerular filtrate as it passes through the nephron are increasingly deleterious to leptospiral survival. This probably explains why leptospires are found predominantly in the proximal convoluted tubules of animals after the development of specific immunity.

Role of protein kinase C and phosphorylation in bombesin-evoked gastrin release from isolated perfused rat stomach

We have recently reported that bombesin (BBS)-stimulated gastrin release is principally dependent on a Ca2+/calmodulin intracellular pathway, and that it is independent of the cyclic AMP-mediated pathway. Recently it was demonstrated that stimulation of protein kinase C (PK-C) resulted in increased gastrin release from the isolated canine G-cells in cultures. The role of PK-C in the BBS-evoked gastrin release, however, remains unexamined. In this study we examined a possible role of PK-C in the secretion of BBS-stimulated gastrin from isolated perfused rat stomach. The effect of phosphorylation on gastrin release, in response to BBS, was also determined. Administration of phorbol ester (PMA 10-100 nM, a PK-C activator) alone significantly provoked gastrin release, but markedly inhibited the BBS (1 nM) stimulated gastrin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Molybdic acid (phosphatase inhibitor), caused an enhancement of BBS-evoked gastrin response at doses of 5 or greater than 5 mM. These results suggest that: (1) diacylglycerol/PK-C pathway may exert a negative feedback control over BBS-induced gastrin release; (2) phosphorylation step is required for gastrin secretion in response to BBS.

Involvement of cholecystokinin receptors in the adverse effect of glucocorticoids on diet-induced necrotizing pancreatitis

The mechanism that explains the association between corticoids and acute pancreatitis is unknown. Our hypothesis was that chronic glucocorticoid treatment could adversely affect the course of hemorrhagic pancreatitis by acting through cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors. Acute necrotizing pancreatitis was induced by feeding young female mice a choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet for 60 hours. Treatment with hydrocortisone (10 mg/kg/day) was begun 1 week before pancreatitis. At the onset of the CDE diet, a group of hydrocortisone-treated mice were also given the CCK receptor antagonist CR-1409 (5 mg/kg three times a day). Control mice received injections of saline solution. A follow-up of 336 hours was conducted for survival analysis. Hydrocortisone given alone did not produce pancreatitis. Hydrocortisone, however, did increase the pancreatic necrosis caused by the CDE diet (from 40% to 70%) and significantly reduce survival (from 40% to 9%). CR-1409 completely abolished the adverse effects of hydrocortisone on pancreatitis. We measured amylase release by dispersed pancreatic acini from mice chronically treated with hydrocortisone in response to CCK-8. Treatment with hydrocortisone increased both the sensitivity and the responsiveness of the pancreas to CCK-8. We conclude that glucocorticoids alone may not induce acute pancreatitis, but they can increase the risk of a more severe form of pancreatitis developing. The glucocorticoid effect appears to be attributable to a CCK receptor-mediated sensitization of the pancreas to endogenous CCK. Thus, CCK-receptor blockade may improve survival in necrotizing pancreatitis associated with chronic glucocorticoid treatments.

2-Deoxy-D-glucose inhibits the antitumor effects of alpha-difluoromethylornithine on the growth of colon cancer in vivo

The glycolytic inhibitor, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), has been shown to inhibit the growth of certain cancers. alpha-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) is an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis. DFMO has been shown to inhibit cancer growth in a number of models. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of 2-DG alone and combined with DFMO on MC-26 mouse colon adenocarcinoma tumors growing in vivo. Twenty-eight male Balb/c mice were inoculated with 250,000 MC-26 cells, and then randomized into four groups of 7 each: group I served as control; group II received DFMO (3% in drinking water); group III received 2-DG (500 mg/kg/d IP); group IV received combination of 2-DG and DFMO. Treatment began 5 days after tumor cell inoculation. MC-26 tumor area was reduced 73% by DFMO compared to a 24% reduction caused by 2-DG. The tumor weight was reduced 80% by DFMO and 52% by 2-DG. The tumor contents of DNA, RNA, and protein were significantly reduced by DFMO but not 2-DG. The tumor concentration of the polyamines putrescine and spermidine were reduced by DFMO alone or combined with 2-DG while spermine levels remained unchanged. 2-DG alone did not alter polyamine levels. These results indicate that both 2-DG and DFMO, when added as single agents, inhibit tumor growth. However, the addition of 2-DG to the DFMO regimen inhibited the antitumor effects of DFMO. Survival studies performed on MC-26 cells in vitro corroborated the antagonisms between DFMO and 2-DG that were shown in vivo.