EFFECTS OF BROMOCRIPTINE ON PANCREATIC SECRETION IN THE ISOLATED, BLOOD-PERFUSED PANCREAS OF THE DOG

1. Effects of bromocriptine on the secretion of pancreatic juice were investigated with dog isolated, blood-perfused pancreas. 2. Bromocriptine (1–10 mg) caused dose-dependent increases in the secretion of pancreatic juice. However, bromocriptine did not affect the perfusion blood flow rate. The secretory response to bromocriptine was inhibited by pretreatment with a dopamine antagonist, sulpiride, but not by phentolamine, propranolol, atropine, metiamide, indomethacin or tetrodotoxin. 3. Bromocriptine caused a dopamine-like secretion of the pancreatic juice containing a high concentration of bicarbonate but had little effect on protein output. 4. These results suggest that bromocriptine increases pancreatic secretion stimulating directly on pancreatic dopamine receptors.