Different actions of CCK on pancreatic and gastric growth in the rat: effect of CCK(A) receptor blockade

γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Derivatives Reduce the Incidence of Acute Pain after Herpes Zoster - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Herpes zoster (HZ) causes considerable pain and distress, and γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its derivatives are assumed to control this, but the available data are inconsistent. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of GABA derivatives in the prevention of acute herpetic pain. The metaanalysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines using PICO format, registered in PROSPERO number CRD42018095758. PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, Scopus, and EMBASE databases were searched. Records were included if they were randomized controlled trials of patients undergoing HZ infection, investigating the effect of GABA derivatives versus placebo in the treatment of HZ pain. Eligible trials were evaluated for the risk of bias. Then data were extracted and analysed. The number of patients with observed presence of pain after treatment was used to calculate odds ratio in a random effect model with the DerSimonian-Laird estimator. The I2 statistic was analysed for heterogeneity. The potential risk of bias was measured using Egger's regression test. The meta-analysis included three randomized controlled trials with a total of 297 patients. The incidence of acute HZ pain events for GABA group was significantly lower compared to placebo group,18/148 vs 44/149, respectively (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.93; Z = 2.11; P = 0.035), Egger's test yielded P = 0.308. In conclusion, the present meta-analysis demonstrates that GABA derivatives reduce the incidence of acute herpetic pain. However, additional, well-designed randomized clinical trials are needed to determine their dose- and time-dependency regarding this symptom.

Caerulein-and xenopsin-related peptides with insulin-releasing activities from skin secretions of the clawed frogs, Xenopus borealis and Xenopus amieti (Pipidae)

Caerulein-related peptides were identified in norepinephrine-stimulated skin secretions of the tetraploid frog Xenopus borealis and the octoploid frog Xenopus amieti using negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry and their primary structures determined by positive ion tandem (MS/MS) mass spectrometry. X. borealis caerulein-B1 (pGlu-Gln-Asp-Tyr(SO(3))-Gly-Thr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe.NH2) contains an additional Gly(5) residue compared with X. laevis caerulein and caerulein-B2 (pGlu-Asp-Tyr(SO(3))-Thr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe.NH2) contains a Gln(2) deletion. X. amieti caerulein was identical to the X. laevis peptide. In addition, xenopsin, identical to the peptide from X. laevis, together with xenopsin-AM2 (pGlu-Gly-Arg-Arg-Pro-Trp-Ile- Leu) that contains the substitution Lys(3)→Arg were isolated from X. amieti secretions. X. borealis caerulein-B1, and X. amieti xenopsin and xenopsin-AM2 produced significant (P<0.05) and concentration-dependent stimulations of insulin release from the rat BRIN-BD11 clonal β cell line at concentrations ⩾30nM. The peptides did not stimulate the release of lactate dehydrogenase at concentrations up to 3μM demonstrating that the integrity of the plasma membrane had been preserved. While their precise biological role is unclear, the caerulein- and xenopsin-related peptides may constitute a component of the animal's chemical defenses against predators.

Immunoelectron study of pancreatic carcinomas using antibodies to gastrointestinal hormones

The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural appearance of pancreatic adenocarcinoma combined with glucagon and gastrin/cholecystokinin (CCK) expression. The authors investigated the ultrastructure and the immunocytochemistry of 12 human pancreatic cancer specimens and used 3 chronic pancreatitis samples and 6 adjacent histological normal pancreatic tissues (away from the tumor) as controls. The ultrastructural study revealed that chronic pancreatitis tissues were characterized by alterations of the secretory cells. The enzymic and secretory changes were confirmed by electron immunogold results. Glucagon appeared to be located not only in islet alpha cells but also in intermediate alpha acinar cells. The changes were more significant in adenocarcinoma cases. Abnormality in the immunoreaction of the peptides was indicated not only in the tumor area but also in the islets near the cancer. Cells immunoreactive with antibodies were found in all 12 adenocarcinoma cases. Abnormal co-location of both hormones in the same type of endocrine cell was also found. Moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas were poorly granulated compared with differentiated tumors. Increased and ectopic gastrin/CCK expression was correlated with pancreatic adenocarcinomas exhibiting poor histological grade and neoplastic endocrine cells, providing a potential marker for pancreatic adenocarcinomas with aggressive behavior.

CCK1 antagonists: are they ready for clinical use?

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide hormone which is found both in the gastrointestinal tract throughout the human small intestine and nerves in the myenteric plexus of the enteric nervous system and in the central nervous system. This dual location constitutes the anatomical basis for this in functions as a hormone and a neurotransmitter implicated in the regulation of both systems. CCK regulates not only motor functions in the gastrointestinal tract like lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation, gastric secretion and emptying, gall bladder contractility and bile secretion into the duodenum, intestinal and colonic motility, but also sensory functions and plays a role in the regulation of food intake. These effects are mediated through selective receptors CCK1 and CCK2. Over the last few years, research has focused on understanding the role of CCK, its receptors with antagonists at the biological, pharmacological, clinical and therapeutic level. As far as the CCK1 antagonists is concerned, important inroads have been made in the potential role of these antagonists in the treatment of GERD, IBS and pancreatitis. They have also shown encouraging results in sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and some gastrointestinal cancers. This review focuses on the recent ad vances of the biological role of CCK and their CCK1 antagonists: their current basic and clinical status in gastroenterology, with particular emphasis on the potential therapeutic role of the CCK1 antagonists and future research directions.

Mechanisms of exocrine pancreatic toxicity induced by oral treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley Rats

In previous 2-year studies of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) conducted by the National Toxicology Program on female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats, acinar-cell vacuolation, atrophy, inflammation, and arteritis developed at high incidence, and a rare occurrence of pancreatic acinar-cell adenomas and carcinomas was noted. In this investigation, we sought to identify the mechanism involved in the early formative stages of acinar-cell lesions. Pancreas from animals treated for 14 and 31 weeks with 100 ng TCDD/kg body weight or corn oil vehicle was examined immunohistochemically and/or morphometrically. Acinar-cell kinetics were analyzed using staining with hematoxylin and eosin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Expressions of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) were evaluated to assess direct effects of TCDD exposure. The cholecystokinin-A receptor (CCK-A receptor; CCKAR) and duodenal cholecystokinin 8 (CCK) revealed the associations of dioxin treatment with hormonal changes. Amylase localization showed acinar structural changes that could affect enzymatic production. Increased apoptotic activity in acinar cells occurred in 14- and 31-week-treated animals, with an increase in proliferative activity in the latter. Also in the latter, in the vacuolated acinar cells, CYP1A1 was overexpressed, and statistically significant decreases in expressions of AhR, CCKAR, and amylase occurred. The intensity of CCKAR expression increased in nonvacuolated acinar cells; a decrease in the size of CCK-positive epithelial cells occurred in duodenum. Our findings indicate that dioxin-induced acinar-cell lesions might be related to a direct effect of TCDD on the pancreas. Increase in CYP1A1 and decrease in CCKAR expressions in vacuolated acinar cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of pancreatic lesions. Changes in the expression of CYP or CCKAR may have induced the acinar-cell tumors by initiating proliferation.

Involvement of endogenous CCK and CCK1 receptors in colonic motor function

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a brain-gut peptide; it functions both as a neuropeptide and as a gut hormone. Although the pancreas and the gallbladder were long thought to be the principal peripheral targets of CCK, CCK receptors are found throughout the gut. It is likely that CCK has a physiological role not only in the stimulation of pancreatic and biliary secretions but also in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility. The motor effects of CCK include postprandial inhibition of gastric emptying and inhibition of colonic transit. It is now evident that at least two different receptors, CCK(1) and CCK(2) (formerly CCK-A and CCK-B, respectively), mediate the actions of CCK. Both localization and functional studies suggest that the motor effects of CCK are mediated by CCK(1) receptors in humans. Since CCK is involved in sensory and motor responses to distension in the intestinal tract, it may contribute to the symptoms of constipation, bloating and abdominal pain that are often characteristic of functional gastrointestinal disorders in general and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), in particular. CCK(1) receptor antagonists are therefore currently under development for the treatment of constipation-predominant IBS. Clinical studies suggest that CCK(1) receptor antagonists are effective facilitators of gastric emptying and inhibitors of gallbladder contraction and can accelerate colonic transit time in healthy volunteers and patients with IBS. These drugs are therefore potentially of great value in the treatment of motility disorders such as constipation and constipation-predominant IBS.

Involvement of endogenous CCK and CCK1 receptors in colonic motor function

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a brain-gut peptide; it functions both as a neuropeptide and as a gut hormone. Although the pancreas and the gallbladder were long thought to be the principal peripheral targets of CCK, CCK receptors are found throughout the gut. It is likely that CCK has a physiological role not only in the stimulation of pancreatic and biliary secretions but also in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility. The motor effects of CCK include postprandial inhibition of gastric emptying and inhibition of colonic transit. It is now evident that at least two different receptors, CCK(1) and CCK(2) (formerly CCK-A and CCK-B, respectively), mediate the actions of CCK. Both localization and functional studies suggest that the motor effects of CCK are mediated by CCK(1) receptors in humans. Since CCK is involved in sensory and motor responses to distension in the intestinal tract, it may contribute to the symptoms of constipation, bloating and abdominal pain that are often characteristic of functional gastrointestinal disorders in general and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), in particular. CCK(1) receptor antagonists are therefore currently under development for the treatment of constipation-predominant IBS. Clinical studies suggest that CCK(1) receptor antagonists are effective facilitators of gastric emptying and inhibitors of gallbladder contraction and can accelerate colonic transit time in healthy volunteers and patients with IBS. These drugs are therefore potentially of great value in the treatment of motility disorders such as constipation and constipation-predominant IBS.

Exocrine pancreatic pathology in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats after chronic treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and dioxin-like compounds

We evaluated the effect of chronic exposure to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds on the pancreas in female Harlan Sprague-Dawley rats. This investigation represents part of an ongoing National Toxicology Program initiative to determine the relative potency of chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of polychlorinated dioxins, furans, and biphenyls. Animals were treated by gavage for up to 2 years with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126), 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF), or a toxic-equivalency-factor (TEF) mixture of these agents; control animals received corn oil-acetone vehicle alone. A complete necropsy was performed on all animals, and a full complement of tissues was collected and examined microscopically. Administration of each of the four compounds was associated with increased incidences of several nonneoplastic changes in the exocrine pancreas, including cytoplasmic vacuolation, chronic active inflammation, atrophy, and arteritis. Low incidences, but higher than those in the historical database, of pancreatic acinar adenoma and carcinoma were seen in the TCDD, PeCDF, and TEF-mixture groups. These results indicate that the pancreatic acini are target tissues for dioxin and certain dioxin-like compounds. Key words: carcinogenesis, dioxin, furans, inflammation, pancreas, polychlorinated biphenyls.

Characterization of Dexloxiglumide in vitro Biopharmaceutical Properties and Active Transport

The objective of this work was to characterize dexloxiglumide biopharmaceutical properties in vitro and relate these characteristics to its in vivo absorption performance, and to assess dexloxiglumide interaction with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and MRP1 to anticipate its drug interaction potential. Dexloxiglumide aqueous solubility was moderate and pH dependent. Dexloxiglumide exhibited moderate Caco-2 permeability that was polarized, concentration dependent, and pH dependent. The apical-to-basolateral (AP-BL) permeability at pH 5 [14.5 (+/-1.8) x 10(-6) cm/s] was 2-fold higher than at pH 7.5 [7.24 (+/-0.27) x 10(-6) cm/s]. Neutral and ionized dexloxiglumide species displayed permeabilities of 30.8 (+/-8.4) x 10(-6) cm/s and 9.03 (+/-1.31) x 10(-6) cm/s, respectively. The transport of dexloxiglumide across MDR1-MDCK (P-gp overexpressing Madine Darby canine kidney cells) monolayers was polarized, with a BL-AP/AP-BL permeability ratio of 9.35 (+/-0.73), which was reduced to 1.03 (+/-0.03) by P-gp inhibition. Rhodamine 123 efflux was reduced by dexloxiglumide from 4.06 (+/-0.34) to 2.84 (+/-0.15) across Caco-2 monolayers, and from 17.3 (+/-0.9) to 8.26 (+/-1.38) across MDR1-MDCK monolayers, further indicating dexloxiglumide interaction with P-gp. Additionally, P-gp ATPase activity increased with dexloxiglumide concentration. Dexloxiglumide was effluxed from MRP1-NIH3T3 cells (NIH-3T3 cells expressing the multidrug resistance-associated protein 1). Dexloxiglumide increased MRP1-substrate fluorescein uptake 4-fold, and fluorescein increased dexloxiglumide uptake 1.8-fold. Overall, in vitro transport studies indicate dexloxiglumide to be moderately soluble and moderately permeable, which is in agreement with the incomplete oral absorption of dexloxiglumide. In vitro, dexloxiglumide was moderately modulated by P-gp and MRP1, which provides a rationale for the design of drug interaction studies.

Key nutrients and growth factors for the neonatal gastrointestinal tract

The nutritional support of gastrointestinal growth and function is an important consideration in the clinical care of neonatal infants. In most health infants, the provision of either breast milk or formula seems to support normal intestinal mucosal growth, but the most significant advantages of breast milk may be for host defense or gut barrier-related functions that are involved in reducing infection. The specific effects of various milk-borne growth factors on key mucosal immune and barrier functions are likely to provide valuable new clues to the advantages of human milk. A substantial number of preterm, low-birth weight babies or those suffering from compromised intestinal function, however, often cannot tolerate oral feedings and instead receive TPN. The consequences of TPN on gastrointestinal function and how this contributes to morbidity of these infants warrants further study, with respect to both clinical and basic research questions. Although enteral nutrition seems to be a critical stimulus for intestinal function, the minimal amounts and composition of nutrients necessary to maintain specific intestinal functions remain to be established. The experimental tools exist to start defining the specific nutrient requirements for the infant gut and some of these nutrients are known (e.g., glutamate, glutamine, and threonine). Peptide growth factors and gut hormones clearly play a role in gut growth and in several ways mediate the trophic actions of enteral nutrition. Although a number of these growth factors are good candidates for therapeutic use, their clinical application in the management of gastrointestinal insufficiency and disease has been slow. The emergence of GLP-2 as a trophic peptide that seems to target the gut is a promising candidate on the horizon.

Effect of three nonpeptide cholecystokinin antagonists on human isolated gallbladder

Cholecystokinin is the most important stimulant of postprandial gallbladder contraction, and a regulator of gallbladder fasting tone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexloxiglumide on isolated human gallbladder contraction induced by cholecystokinin-octapeptide and to compare this effect to that of lorglumide and amiglumide, two glutaramic acid analogs of dexloxiglumide. The negative logarithms of the antagonist dissociation constant (pK(B)) values were 7.00 +/- 0.14, 6.95 +/- 0.11, and 6.71 +/- 0.10 for lorglumide, dexloxiglumide, and amiglumide, respectively. Dexloxiglumide produced a concentration-dependent rightward shift of the cholecystokinin-octapeptide curve, without affecting its maximal response. A similar effect was obtained both with lorglumide and amiglumide. Moreover, the slopes for the three antagonists did not differ significantly from unity. These data show that the three molecules have a potent antagonistic effect, of a competitive nature, on gallbladder cholecystokinin type 1 receptors. It may be concluded that dexloxiglumide, lorglumide, and amiglumide exhibit a promising therapeutic profile for biliary colic and other gastrointestinal disorders in which CCK1 receptors play important physiological roles.

Different affinity states of CCK(1) receptors on pancreatic acini and gastric smooth muscle in the rat

It has recently been shown that--after chronic cholecystokinin (CCK) treatment--an adaptation of pancreatic secretory but not gastric motor function does occur. Recent studies indicate that the CCK(1)-receptor exists in two (i.e. high and low) affinity states, which could be distinguished by the CCK-analogue JMV-180. CCK occupancy of high and low affinity sites is thought to be related to the initiation of different intracellular events and consequent biological responses. Affinity states of CCK(1)-receptors on pancreas and gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle could be different and this can offer an explanation for the different effects of CCK on pancreatic and gastric growth. We therefore studied the affinity states of CCK(1)-receptors on isolated rat pancreatic acini and gastric smooth muscle preparations. When acini were incubated with increasing concentrations of CCK-8, a biphasic (i.e. stimulation followed by inhibition) effect on amylase release was observed. JMV-180 caused only stimulation of enzyme release and combined JMV-180 and CCK stimulation (at submaximal doses) resulted in an additive secretory response. CCK-8 induced contractions of pyloric, antral and fundic muscle in a concentration-dependent manner. The response was monophasic, reaching a plateau. JMV-180 had only a very weak effect on these preparations. On the contrary, it inhibited CCK-induced contractions in a competitive manner, the concentration-response curve to CCK being shifted to the right by the CCK analogue. Our data suggest that the affinity states of CCK(1)-receptors on rat pancreatic and gastric tissue are different. On pancreatic acini CCK(1)-receptors exist in both high- and low-affinity states whose occupation is followed by the sequence of intracellular events leading to growth. In contrast, occupation of low affinity receptors (the only ones present in the GI smooth muscle) does not lead to cell proliferation. This difference therefore explains the different adaptive response of the pancreas and the stomach to chronic CCK administration. Furthermore, different affinity states of CCK(1)-receptors may mediate different functions of the digestive tract.

Fasting exacerbates acute pancreatitis by occlusion of the common bile duct in rats

We examined the effects of fasting and non-fasting on gallstone-related acute pancreatitis by the occlusion of the common bile duct (OCD). We prepared a rat OCD-induced pancreatitis model under both fasting and non-fasting conditions, and we measured amylase activity in ascites as well as production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. We also examined the pathology of the pancreas, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in some tissues and mortality rates. In the fasted OCD group, ascites containing a large amount of amylase, interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) as well as marked hemorrhage and necrosis of the pancreatic acinar cells were observed. Pulmonary MPO activity increased 3.4-fold compared to the control group. In the non-fasted OCD group, there was no development of ascites. Slight necrosis of acinar cells and slight increases in pulmonary MPO activity were observed. In addition, in the fasted OCD group, the cumulative mortality rate was 50% 6 days after ligation. However, in the non-fasted OCD group, none of the animals died. These results suggest that gallstone-related severe pancreatitis depends on fasting-related structural and/or functional changes in the pancreas. Moreover, increased production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in ascites under fasting condition may be involved in multiple organ failure resulting from severe acute pancreatitis.

Use of chiral liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to investigate the metabolism of racemic cholecystokinin-B antagonists

In an attempt to establish the enantiomeric specificity of metabolism for a series of racemic cholecystokinin-B receptor antagonists, chiral LC-MS-MS conditions were established using a Pirkle DNBL chiral stationary phase operating in the reversed-phase mode. Rat liver microsomal incubations of the compounds were analysed using these conditions and it was demonstrated that resolution of oxygenated and demethylated metabolites could be achieved. A single model compound was investigated in detail by obtaining product-ion spectra on all mono-oxygenated species in an attempt to correlate these and identify enantiomeric pairs of metabolites. In this example a lack of differentiation in the product ion spectra did not allow correlation but the results suggest that such an approach may still be viable for the chiral metabolic analysis of racemic material.

Antisecretory effects of galanin and its putative antagonists M15, M35 and C7 in the rat stomach

The neuropeptide galanin has been reported to have a wide range of biological actions both in the central nervous system and in the gastrointestinal tract. Recent works led to the discovery of selective galanin receptor antagonists including M15 (galanin(1-12)-Pro-substanceP(5-11)-amide), M35 (galanin(1-12)-Pro-bradykinin(2-9)-amide) and C7 (galanin(1-12)-Pro-spantide-amide). These antagonists were shown to competitively inhibit actions of galanin in the central nervous system. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of galanin, M15, M35 and C7 on gastric acid secretion and gastric emptying. Pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion was inhibited by galanin (0.1-9 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1), i.v.) in a dose-dependent manner (ID50 = 1.8 +/- 0.3 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1)). When 9 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1) galanin infusion was given, inhibition became almost complete. M15, M35 and C7 (1-9 nmol x kg(-1) x h(-1)) did not modify responses of the stomach to galanin, but acted as agonists of galanin on acid secretion. Neither galanin nor its putative antagonists affected the emptying of non-caloric liquids from the stomach. In conclusion, galanin may play an antisecretory role in the regulation of gastric acid secretion but not in the control of gastric emptying of liquids in rats. Its antisecretory action on the stomach is mediated by galanin receptors that are distinct from those in the central nervous system.

Diverse effects of phytohaemagglutinin on gastrointestinal secretions in rats

Kidney bean lectin phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) is known for its binding capacity to the small intestinal surface inducing marked hyperplasia and hypertrophy and an increased pancreatic function. Recent observations indicate that PHA is able to attach to gastric mucosal and parietal cells. Therefore, we compared the effects of PHA on gastric acid secretion, and pancreatic amylase secretion in rats. To study gastric secretion in conscious animals, rats were surgically prepared with chronic stainless steel gastric cannula and with indwelling polyethylene jugular vein catheter. Acid secretion was determined by titration of the collected gastric juice to pH 7.0. Similar studies were performed to investigate the effect of PHA on pancreatic enzyme secretion in conscious rats supplied with pancreatic cannula. Pancreatic enzyme secretion was also studied in rats anesthetized with either halothane or urethane. In conscious rats PHA significantly inhibited basal acid secretion when compared to vehicle-treated controls. The effect was dose-dependent and reversible. On the other hand, given in the same doses as in the acid-secretory studies, PHA stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion in rats prepared with chronic pancreatic cannula. This effect was blocked by devazepide, a CCK-A receptor antagonist. In halothane-anesthetized rats PHA administration increased pancreatic amylase secretion, too. During urethane anesthesia, however, the stimulatory effect of PHA was not observed. These results provide evidence that intragastric PHA treatment induces opposite effects on gastric acid secretion and pancreatic enzyme secretion: it is a potent inhibitor of acid output, and a stimulator of pancreatic enzyme discharge. Our data also show that the stimulatory effect of PHA on pancreatic enzyme secretion can be blocked by urethane, an anaesthetic that is known to turn off the negative pancreatic feedback control of pancreatic function in rats.

Effect of deramciclane, a new 5-HT receptor antagonist, on cholecystokinin-induced changes in rat gastrointestinal function

Recent studies suggested that serotonin receptors may be involved in modulating the actions of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the gastrointestinal tract. The present work was designed to compare the effects of deramciclane, a recently developed serotonin-2 (5-HT2A/2C) receptor antagonist, and lorglumide, a CCK(A) receptor antagonist, on exogenous and endogenous CCK-induced pancreatic enzyme secretion and pancreatic growth, as well as on the emptying of the stomach and the gallbladder. Pancreatic secretory function was tested while CCK release was evoked by diversion of bile-pancreatic juice in rats. Adaptive growth of the pancreas was induced by chronic intragastric administration of camostate, a potent synthetic trypsin inhibitor in rats. Gastric emptying of a noncaloric test meal was investigated in response to intraduodenal intralipid infusion, also in rats. In fasted mice, gallbladder emptying was examined in response to intragastric egg yolk administration. In rats, diversion of bile-pancreatic juice from the duodenum stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion. This action was blocked by deramciclane and by lorglumide. Pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia induced by chronic camostate administration was also suppressed by both the serotonin- and the CCK-receptor antagonists. Intraduodenal administration of intralipid induced a significant delay in gastric emptying. This effect was inhibited by both deramciclane and lorglumide in rats. In mice, intragastric administration of egg yolk elicited an accelerated release of bile from the gallbladder. Prior treatment with either deramciclane or lorglumide abolished this response. Lorglumide was able to inhibit the functional responses elicited by exogenous CCK administration in both pancreas, stomach and gallbladder, while deramciclane was not effective under such circumstances. Our data show that deramciclane inhibited the effects of CCK on pancreatic, gastric and gallbladder function when its endogenous release was stimulated, but did not alter the effects of exogenously administered peptide. These results suggest that serotonin, primarily via 5-HT2A receptors, may modulate CCK-mediated gastrointestinal functions in rats.