Effect of chymotrypsin on human cholecystokinin release: use of clostripain in the validation of a new radioimmunoassay

Peripheral interaction of ghrelin with cholecystokinin on feeding regulation

Ghrelin and cholecystokinin (CCK) are gastrointestinal hormones regulating feeding. Both transmitted via the vagal afferent, ghrelin elicits starvation signals, whereas CCK induces satiety signals. We investigated the interaction between ghrelin and CCK functioning in short-term regulation of feeding in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats, which have a disrupted CCK type A receptor (CCK-AR), and their lean littermates, Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. Intravenous administration of ghrelin increased 2-h food intake in both OLETF and LETO rats. Because OLETF rats are CCK insensitive, iv-administered CCK decreased 2-h food intake in LETO, but not in OLETF, rats. Although preadministration of CCK to LETO rats blocked food intake induced by ghrelin, CCK preadministration to OLETF rats did not affect ghrelin-induced food intake. Conversely, preadministration of ghrelin to LETO rats blocked feeding reductions induced by CCK. In electrophysiological studies, once gastric vagal afferent discharges were altered by ghrelin or CCK administration, they could not be additionally affected by serial administrations of either CCK or ghrelin, respectively. The induction of Fos expression in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus by ghrelin was also attenuated by CCK preadministration. Using immunohistochemistry, we also demonstrated the colocalization of GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), the cellular receptor for ghrelin, with CCK-AR in vagal afferent neurons. These results indicate that the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in determining peripheral energy balance. The efficiency of ghrelin and CCK signal transduction may depend on the balance of their respective plasma concentration and/or on interactions between GHS-R and CCK-AR.

Cholecystokinin pathways modulate sensations induced by gastric distension in humans

Ingested fat releases CCK, causes gastric relaxation, delays gastric emptying, and limits meal size; however, the mechanistic link among these actions has not been established. Fatty acid release of CCK is chain-length sensitive; dodecanoic acid (C12) induces greater CCK release than decanoic acid (C10). The effect of C12 or C10 on tolerance to subsequent intragastric infusion of liquid was determined in healthy subjects, with and without the CCK(1) receptor antagonist dexloxiglumide. Gastric wall relaxation after either fatty acid was assessed by graded volume distension and by barostat; gastric emptying was measured by gastric aspiration and by a [(13)C]octanoic acid breath technique. C12 released more CCK (mean plasma CCK after vehicle, 4.7 +/- 0.8 pM; C10, 4.8 +/- 0.3 pM; C12, 8 +/- 1.2 pM; P < 0.05 C12 vs. C10 or vehicle) and reduced the volume of water (and of 5 and 25% glucose solutions) delivered at maximum tolerance compared with C10 or vehicle (volume of water tolerated after vehicle, 1,535 +/- 164 ml; C10, 1,335 +/- 160 ml; C12, 842 +/- 103 ml; P < 0.05 C12 vs. C10 or vehicle); this effect was abolished by dexloxiglumide. Intragastric volumes were always similar at the limit of tolerance, and, whereas gastric relaxation occurred to similar degrees after the fatty acids, its duration was longer after C12, which also induced a longer delay in half-gastric emptying [t(1/2)(min) after vehicle, 53 +/- 2; C10, 67 +/- 3; C12, 88 +/- 7; P < 0.05 C12 vs. C10 or vehicle]. In conclusion, ingestion of a CCK-releasing fatty acid reduces the tolerated volume of liquid delivered into the stomach, primarily via a CCK(1) receptor-mediated delay in gastric emptying.

Influence of a lipase inhibitor on gastric sensitivity and accommodation to an orally ingested meal

BACKGROUND

Intraduodenal administration of lipids, through lipid digestion and release of cholecystokinin (CCK), induces viscero-visceral reflexes that affect gastric tone and sensitivity. It is unclear whether the same mechanisms control gastric function after an orally ingested meal.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of orlistat, a selective lipase inhibitor, on gastric response to an orally administered meal.

METHODS

Eighteen healthy volunteers participated in this study. They were treated for 5 days with orlistat (120 mg) or placebo t.d.s. in a double-blind randomized crossover design. During treatment, all subjects underwent a gastric barostat study, measurement of plasma CCK levels and a satiety drinking test.

RESULTS

Although CCK plasma levels were significantly decreased, pre-treatment with orlistat failed to affect gastric compliance (72 +/- 6 mL/mm Hg and 64 +/- 6 mL/mm Hg, NS), gastric sensitivity (discomfort threshold 12.2 +/- 0.6 mm Hg vs. 10.9 +/- 0.6 mm Hg above minimal distending pressure, NS) or gastric accommodation (172 +/- 41 mL vs. 206 +/- 49 mL, NS) to an orally ingested meal. Furthermore, orlistat pre-treatment had no significant effect on the amount of calories ingested during a satiety drinking test (1329 +/- 88 kcal vs. 1217 +/- 115 kcal, NS).

CONCLUSION

Administration of a lipase inhibitor does not affect gastric compliance, sensitivity to distension and accommodation to an orally ingested meal, and does not influence meal-induced satiety.

Physiological mechanisms mediating aspartame-induced satiety

Aspartame has been previously shown to increase satiety. This study aimed to investigate a possible role for the satiety hormones cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in this effect. The effects of the constituents of aspartame, phenylalanine and aspartic acid, were also examined. Six subjects consumed an encapsulated preload consisting of either 400 mg aspartame, 176 mg aspartic acid+224 mg phenylalanine, or 400 mg corn flour (control), with 1.5 g paracetamol dissolved in 450 ml water to measure gastric emptying. A 1983-kJ liquid meal was consumed 60 min later. Plasma CCK, GLP-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucose, and insulin were measured over 0-120 min. Gastric emptying was measured from 0 to 60 min. Plasma GLP-1 concentrations decreased following the liquid meal (60-120 min) after both the aspartame and amino acids preloads (control, 2096.9 pmol/l min; aspartame, 536.6 pmol/l min; amino acids, 861.8 pmol/l min; incremental area under the curve [AUC] 60-120 min, P<.05). Desire to eat was reduced from 60 to 120 min following the amino acids preload (control, -337.1 mm min; aspartame, -505.4 mm min; amino acids, -1497.1 mm min; incremental AUC 60-120 min, P<.05). However, gastric emptying rates, plasma CCK, GIP, insulin, and glucose concentrations were unaffected. There was a correlation between the increase in plasma phenylalanine and decrease in desire to eat after the liquid meal following the constituent amino acids (r=-.9774, P=.004). In conclusion, it is unlikely that aspartame increases satiety via CCK- or GLP-1-mediated mechanisms, but small changes in circulating phenylalanine concentrations may influence appetite.

Casein and whey exert different effects on plasma amino acid profiles, gastrointestinal hormone secretion and appetite

Protein, generally agreed to be the most satiating macronutrient, may differ in its effects on appetite depending on the protein source and variation in digestion and absorption. We investigated the effects of two milk protein types, casein and whey, on food intake and subjective ratings of hunger and fullness, and on postprandial metabolite and gastrointestinal hormone responses. Two studies were undertaken. The first study showed that energy intake from a buffet meal ad libitum was significantly less 90 min after a 1700 kJ liquid preload containing 48 g whey, compared with an equivalent casein preload (P<0.05). In the second study, the same whey preload led to a 28 % increase in postprandial plasma amino acid concentrations over 3 h compared with casein (incremental area under the curve (iAUC), P<0.05). Plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) was increased by 60 % (iAUC, P<0.005), glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 by 65 % (iAUC, P<0.05) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide by 36 % (iAUC, P<0.01) following the whey preload compared with the casein. Gastric emptying was influenced by protein type as evidenced by differing plasma paracetamol profiles with the two preloads. Greater subjective satiety followed the whey test meal (P<0.05). These results implicate post-absorptive increases in plasma amino acids together with both CCK and GLP-1 as potential mediators of the increased satiety response to whey and emphasise the importance of considering the impact of protein type on the appetite response to a mixed meal.

Persistent decreased plasma cholecystokinin levels in celiac patients under gluten-free diet: respective roles of histological changes and nutrient hydrolysis

Celiac disease is associated with impaired cholecystokinin (CCK) release. The mechanism by which CCK release is impaired is poorly understood and seems to be related to the mucosal atrophy or to decreased stimulation due to reduced intraduodenal nutrient hydrolysis. The aims of our study were to evaluate basal and postprandial CCK in celiac patients presenting with distinctive types of mucosal lesions (normal, infiltrative and atrophic), and to study the role of protein hydrolysis on CCK release. Plasma CCK was measured in 20 celiac patients (normal mucosa: n=6; infiltrative type: n=6; atrophic type=8) and 9 controls, before and after ingestion of a polymeric or a semi-elemental meal. Significant decreases in basal CCK plasma (B 0.6 [95% CI, 0.3-1.3] pmol/l; p<0.003) and postprandial CCK area under curve (AUC 34 [19-61] pmol/l x 120 min, p<0.0001) were observed in patients with an atrophic mucosa compared with treated patients (B 1.6 [1.0-2.4] pmol/l, AUC 267 [172-414] pmol/l x 120 min) or healthy volunteers (B 1.0 [0.7-1.4] pmol/l, AUC 186 [131-264] pmol/l x 120 min). A significant defective CCK release was also observed in patients with an infiltrative type: B 0.4 [0.2-0.7] pmol/l and AUC 56 [31-101] pmol/l x 120 min; p<0.0001. Administration of a semi-elemental diet did not correct the defective CCK release. In conclusion, the decreased CCK levels observed in celiac patients are not strictly related to the mucosal atrophy but rather to the lymphocytic infiltrate. Administration of a predigested meal did not correct the impaired CCK release. Some inhibitory mechanism could be involved in the CCK cell dysfunction observed in celiac patients presenting with lesser degrees of disease activity.

Effects of Ostertagia ostertagi and omeprazole treatment on feed intake and gastrin-related responses in the calf

Infection with the bovine abomasal nematode, Ostertagia ostertagi, results in a loss of acid-secreting parietal cells and an increase in gastric pH. The effects of an experimental infection with Ostertagia and/or daily treatment with omeprazole (OMP) at 2mgkg(-1) bodyweight for four consecutive days (experiment days 24-27, inclusive) on voluntary feed intake, blood and tissue gastrin concentrations, abomasal G-cell numbers, gastric pH, and blood cholecystokinin (CCK) and pepsinogen concentrations were investigated in the calf. Ostertagia-infected calves demonstrated a significant drop in feed intake between days 24 and 27 post-infection (38%; P<0.001) and in G-cell numbers (42%; P<0.05) and significant increases in abomasal pH (P<0.001), fundic mucosal weight (99%; P<0.01), and blood gastrin (P<0.05) and pepsinogen (P<0.0001). OMP treatment of worm-free animals resulted in a significant drop in intake between days 24 and 27 (30%; P<0.001) and in G-cell numbers (17%; P<0.05) and significant increases in abomasal pH (P<0.01) and blood gastrin (P<0.001). OMP treatment of Ostertagia-infected animals with an existing hypergastrinaemia had no effect on feed intake, abomasal pH, blood gastrin or pepsinogen or abomasal G-cell numbers. Blood CCK concentrations were also unaffected by either Ostertagia infection or OMP treatment. These data suggest that: (a) the depression in feed intake associated with OMP in worm-free calves was not due to a side effect of drug treatment; (b) inappetance in Ostertagia-infected animals is closely associated with the parasite-induced hypergastrinaemia; and (c) the elevation in abomasal pH was a major factor responsible for the elevated blood gastrin concentrations seen in parasitised and OMP-treated animals.

A comparison of the effects of pegvisomant and octreotide on glucose, insulin, gastrin, cholecystokinin, and pancreatic polypeptide responses to oral glucose and a standard mixed meal

Standard medical therapy for patients with acromegaly includes somatostatin analogs. Owing to the widespread expression of somatostatin receptors, these may be associated with unwanted effects, such as altered glucose tolerance and impaired gut hormone release. Pegvisomant is a novel pegylated GH analog that competes with wild-type GH for GH-receptor binding sites but contains a position 120, amino acid substitution that prevents functional GH receptor dimerization, a known prerequisite for GH signal transduction and generation of IGF-I. We have studied the short-term effects of these two therapies (pegvisomant 20 mg/d for 7 d and octreotide 50 microg thrice daily for 7 d) on glucose tolerance and stimulated gut hormone release in six healthy male volunteers in an open-label, random-order, cross-over study. Subjects were assessed at baseline (oral glucose tolerance test and standard mixed meal) and on d 6 and 7 of each therapy with a minimum washout of 2 wk between treatments. Area under the curve and peak responses were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA (on ranks where appropriate). Pegvisomant had no effect on glucose tolerance or stimulated gut hormone response during an oral glucose tolerance test and a standard meal. In contrast, octreotide significantly increased fasting plasma glucose, lowered fasting plasma insulin, and led to deterioration in glucose tolerance; three subjects developed impaired glucose tolerance and one diabetes mellitus by World Health Organization criteria. Octreotide significantly impaired stimulated release of cholecystokinin, gastrin, insulin, and pancreatic polypeptide. In conclusion, pegvisomant, unlike octreotide, is not associated with deterioration in glucose tolerance and impairment of stimulated gut hormone release in normal males.

Dietary soya beans and kidney beans stimulate secretion of cholecystokinin and pancreatic digestive enzymes in 400-day-old Hooded-Lister rats but only soya beans induce growth of the pancreas

The effects of age on cholecystokinin (CCK) release, pancreatic enzyme secretion, and growth of the pancreas mediated by dietary kidney beans or soya beans were evaluated in trials with 30-, 90-, 250-, and 400-day-old rats. Soya beans increased blood CCK and caused hypersecretion of digestive enzymes and rapid pancreatic growth in all rats. Kidney beans also elevated circulating CCK and stimulated enzyme secretion. However, with 90-, 250-, and 400-day-old rats, the secretory responses were attenuated. Furthermore, kidney beans did not induce pancreatic growth in 250- and 400-day-old rats.

Fatty acid chain length determines cholecystokinin secretion and effect on human gastric motility

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Fatty acids induce cholecystokinin (CCK) secretion and modify gastric motility, but the chain length requirements for these effects are not known. Nor is it clear whether the effects of fatty acids on gastric motility in humans are CCK mediated or directly exerted. The aim of this study was to determine the role of fatty acyl chain length in CCK secretion and in influencing gastric motility.

METHODS

Fatty acids were infused into the upper gut in healthy volunteers; plasma CCK was determined by radioimmunoassay. Effects of fatty acids on antral contractility were determined by percutaneous ultrasonography; effects on proximal gastric tone were studied during fundal distention.

RESULTS

Plasma CCK concentration was consistently and similarly elevated by fatty acids with a chain of 12 carbon atoms or longer, whereas those of 11 or fewer carbon atoms failed to increase plasma CCK. A 12-carbon but not a 10-carbon-long chain fatty acid reduced antral contractile amplitude, an effect that was abolished by loxiglumide (a specific CCK-A receptor antagonist). The 12-carbon fatty acid also reduced proximal gastric tone more than the 10-carbon fatty acid.

CONCLUSIONS

A highly specific, chain length-sensitive fatty acid recognition system exists in the proximal gut mediating CCK secretion and gastric motility. An additional, probably CCK-independent, effect of fatty acid also regulates proximal gastric tone.

How to measure cholecystokinin in tissue, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid

This review examines a major problem for an old hormone. Hormones are defined by the ability to reach their targets via blood. Consequently, knowledge about a hormone requires measurement of its behaviour in blood. So far, however, it has proven exceptionally difficult to measure the classical gut hormone, cholecystokinin (CCK), in circulation. The review therefore describes the premises for reliable plasma CCK measurements as compared to the premises for measurement in tissue extracts and cerebrospinal fluid. The critical plasma premises comprise equimolar quantitation of the bioactive CCK peptides in circulation (CCK-83, -58, -33, -22 and -8) without interference from homologous gastrin peptides. The latter may appear nearly impossible, because the bioactive epitopes of CCK and gastrin are almost identical, and because the plasma concentrations of gastrin are more than tenfold above those of CCK. In comparison, measurement of CCK in tissue is considerably simpler, especially in extracts of the two main production sites, the brain and jejunoileal mucosa. For cerebrospinal fluid, degradation, low levels and shortage of material constitute major problems so that the molecular nature and biological/clinical relevance of CCK measurements in CSF still remain to be settled. The review finally enlists the reports on plasma CCK measurements published so far. A multitude of different immuno- and bioassays have been used with corresponding variation in the results. The theory for different types of assays in combination with general assay experience suggest that accurate CCK measurements require radioimmunoassay technology based on high-affinity antibodies. These antibodies have to be exquisitely specific for the 0-sulfated C-terminal heptapeptide amide of CCK without binding the similar gastrin epitope. Only few of such antibodies have been raised.

Radioimmunoassay of regulatory peptides in the presence of acetonitrile: marked improvement of cholecystokinin assays

Radioimmunoassay has made it possible to measure the levels of many hormones. However, samples for some hormones, such as cholecystokinin (CCK), need to be purified by reverse phase chromatography before assay. Usually, samples are eluted from cartridges or HPLC columns in about 50% acetonitrile, dried on a vacuum centrifuge, and then reconstituted in buffer. Drying and reconstituting samples is time consuming and introduces additional sources of error and peptide loss. The present study investigated the effect of acetonitrile on radioimmunoassays for CCK to see if samples containing acetonitrile could be assayed directly. The non-specific binding of a radiolabeled peptide, the zero binding (B0), and the fall in the presence of 2.5 fmol unlabeled CCK were determined in the presence of various proportions of acetonitrile with 0.1% TFA. Additionally, standard curves were compared in the presence and absence of 200microl of 50% acetonitrile, (n = 5). For assays using two separate CCK antisera, increasing amounts of acetonitrile gave progressively higher zero binding and fall, thereby increasing sensitivity and antibody titer. The use of 200microl 50% acetonitrile, chosen to represent typical sample conditions, increased antiserum titers by three to four-fold, as well as increasing sensitivity considerably. For one antiserum (CCK2), the IC20 was 0.36+/-0.02 fmol CCK/tube in the presence of acetonitrile and 1.45+/-0.08 fmol/tube in its absence (P< 0.001). For the other antiserum (Dino 7), the IC20 was 0.40+/-0.02 fmol CCK/tube in the presence of acetonitrile and 0.63+/-0.01 fmol/tube in its absence (P<0.001). A similar increase in sensitivity was seen with a gastrin assay. However, no significant change in the gastrin antibody titer was evident. Assays for several other hormones were unaffected by 200 microl of 50% acetonitrile. At volumes encountered in samples following chromatography, acetonitrile did not adversely affect radioimmunoassays for a number of hormones, and the sensitivity and antibody titer of the CCK assays were improved. Measurement of CCK samples without drying and reconstitution increases assay efficiency and sensitivity.

Accurate measurement of cholecystokinin in plasma

Shortage of reliable plasma assays has hampered studies of cholecystokinin (CCK). The assay problems are low plasma concentrations, extensive molecular heterogeneity, and close homology of CCK to gastrin, which circulates in higher concentrations. To develop an accurate CCK RIA, antibodies were raised in rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice in titers from 200 to 4 000 000. The specificity of the antisera was tested with homologous peptides, and tissue and plasma extracts. Rabbit 92128 produced antibodies in high titer (≥500 000) with sufficient avidity (K \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(_{eff}^{{^\circ}}\) \end{document} ≥ 1012 mol−1) and the desired specificity. The antiserum binds the bioactive forms of CCK with equimolar potency and displays no reactivity with gastrin. CCK concentrations in plasma from healthy humans rose from 1.13 ± 0.10 pmol/L (mean ± SE, n = 26) to 4.92 ± 0.34 pmol/L after a mixed meal. Chromatography of human plasma revealed traces of CCK-58, a predominance of CCK-33 and CCK-22, and moderate amounts of CCK-8. The results show that it is possible to produce specific CCK-antisera using a sulfated CCK-12 analog.

Effect of cisapride on gallbladder emptying and plasma CCK in normal and vagotomized human subjects

Previous studies have provided conflicting results of cisapride on gallbladder emptying in response to a meal. We studied six volunteers and six patients after a truncal vagotomy in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospectively randomized study using 10 mg cisapride four times a day for three days. Gallbladder volume was quantitated using ultrasonography, and plasma CCK levels were measured with a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay using the DINO antibody before and for 90 min after a fatty, mixed meal. Plasma effect was observed on the gallbladder either in normal subjects or vagotomized patients. Paradoxically, residual volume (RV) was increased in the vagotomized patients after treatment with cisapride: RV cisapride 7.1 (4.1-15.9) ml, RV placebo 5.1 (3.8-14) ml, P < 0.05. Further work is required to clarify the mechanisms of action of cisapride on the gallbladder and the sphincter of Oddi. The use of cisapride during litholytic therapy may impair gallbladder emptying and delay stone clearance.

Quantitation of procholecystokinin and its products in plasma by processing-independent analysis

A procedure for processing-independent quantitation of procholecystokinin (proCCK) and its products has been applied to plasma. The procedure is based on tryptic cleavage after Lys61 and Arg71 with subsequent monospecific radioimmuno-analysis of fragment 62-71 of human proCCK, which again corresponds to fragment 1-10 of CCK-22. The detection limit of the analysis was 0.2 pmol/l. Plasma was extracted with ethanol. In plasma from 13 healthy volunteers the basal concentration with the above-mentioned radioimmunoassay was 1.1 +/- 0.1 pmol/l (mean +/- S.E.M.) before, and 13.7 +/- 0.6 pmol/l after, incubation with trypsin. Two hours after ingestion of a mixed meal, the plasma concentration was 2.0 +/- 0.1 pmol/l before, and 21.7 +/- 1.2 pmol/l after tryptic cleavage. With a conventional CCK radioimmunoassay specific for the C-terminally amidated and O-sulfated bioactive epitope, the concentration was 1.0 +/- 0.1 pmol/l in the basal state and 4.2 +/- 0.4 pmol/l 2 h after a meal. Tryptic cleavage did not increase the concentrations of amidated, bioactive CCK peptides. In plasma from 37 patients with the carcinoid syndrome, the basal concentration of proCCK and its products was 14.1 (2.8-150.4) pmol/l (median (range)), compared with 0.3 (0-18.8) pmol/l for carboxyamidated CCK. Only two patients had significantly elevated CCK concentrations. We conclude that processing-independent analysis is useful for quantitation of proCCK and its products in plasma, since it quantitates CCK cell secretion more accurately than conventional CCK assays.

Elevation of plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) immunoreactivity by fat, protein, and amino acids in the cat, a carnivore

The cat requires a diet high in protein and certain nutrients that are found only in animal tissue. It is possible that secretogogues of intestinal CCK in the cat may be different from those observed in non-carnivorous species. Plasma CCK concentrations were determined in cats (n = 6) given by oral-gastric tube either casein, whey protein, corn oil, or corn starch suspended in water. CCK was measured by RIA with a tyrosine sulfate-specific, C-terminal antibody, DINO. HPLC of plasma revealed that most CCK-immunoreactivity (CCK-LI) was associated with CCK-33 and a late eluting peak, presumably CCK-58. Casein, whey protein, and corn oil increased (P < 0.05) post-administration plasma CCK-LI, and at least for casein, the effect was dose related. An amino acid mixture approximating the residue composition of casein increased plasma CCK-LI (P < 0.05), however, the increase tended to be less than that caused by casein. Evaluation of post-administration levels of plasma amino acids indicated that intact protein and amino acids in the intestinal lumen affect CCK release by different mechanisms. Collectively, the results indicated that although cats are carnivores cats and humans secrete CCK in response to the same nutrients.

Effects of diet and the cholecystokinin antagonist; devazepide (L364,718) on CCK mRNA, and tissue and plasma CCK concentrations

The mechanisms by which raw soya diets and CCK-receptor antagonists increase postprandial plasma CCK concentrations are not fully understood. Therefore we examined the effects of different diets including raw soya, and the effect of the potent CCK antagonist devazepide in the fed and fasted state on CCK concentrations in plasma and in the duodenal mucosa and on the duodenal CCK:beta-tubulin mRNA ratio in rats. Diets which stimulated high plasma CCK levels, such as raw soya, also gave the highest CCK tissue and mRNA concentrations with a close correlation between plasma and tissue CCK concentrations within each group (r = 0.94, P = 0.018) and between tissue CCK concentrations and CCK:beta-tubulin mRNA ratios (r = 0.91, P = 0.030). Animals fed ad libitum and treated with devazepide (1 mg kg-1) had higher CCK:beta-tubulin mRNA ratios, tissue CCK concentrations and plasma CCK concentrations than animals injected with vehicle. Fasted animals treated with devazepide for 28 h also had higher CCK mRNA:beta-tubulin mRNA ratios (1.86 +/- 0.43 vs. 0.85 +/- 0.15, P < 0.05), and higher tissue CCK concentrations (0.99 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.69 +/- 0.04, P < 0.01). However, despite these intracellular changes devazepide did not elevate plasma CCK concentrations in the fasted state. Therefore, devazepide increases tissue concentrations of CCK but requires an additional dietary stimulus to raise plasma concentrations. These findings indicate that devazepide produces a dissociation between synthesis and release of CCK in fasted animals.