Exocrine pancreas response to a test meal in the dog

Three dogs, equipped with a chronic gastric fistula (Thomas cannula) and a new type of chronic pancreatic fistula that allows collection of pure nonactivated pancreatic juice after ingestion of a test meal, were subjected to the following protocols: (1) Nonalcoholic period: a test meal (400 g canned dog meal) was given and simultaneously 200 ml isotonic saline was infused through the gastric cannula. Volume, bicarbonate concentration and output, and protein output showed a peak 40 min after ingestion of the test meal. Protein concentration showed an opposite pattern. (2) Alcoholic period: during 3 months, animals were daily given through the gastric cannula 50% ethanol (2.0 g/kg) associated with a protein-supplemented diet, and test-meal experiments were repeated at the end of this period. When compared with the nonalcoholic period, the secretory response to the meal was significantly modified: Volume (–42%), bicarbonate concentration (–19%) and output (–54%) were significantly lower, protein output remained unchanged, and protein concentration increased (+74%). All 3 dogs excreted protein plugs through the catheter collecting pancreatic juice from the main pancreatic duct. It is postulated that a depression of secretin release and an increased gastrin release and cholinergic tone could be the basis of the ethanolevoked change in response to a test meal.This work was supported in part by a fellowship from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Germany) to M. S., and a fellowship from Conselho Nacional de Desinvolvimento Cientifico e Technologico of Brazil to J.P.M.d.O.