PANCREATIC-SECRETION IN HAMSTERS WITH PANCREATIC CANCER

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 82  (1) , 34-41
Abstract
Pancreatic secretory abnormalities develop in most persons with pancreatic cancer and were attributed to ductal obstruction. These experiments investigated whether abnormal secretion results instead from carcinogen induced changes in the secreting cells. Fifty male Syrian Golden hamsters (40-100 g) received weekly injections of disopropylnitrosamine (250 mg/kg, s.c.), and survivors and age matched controls were studied after 3.5-6.5 mo. of treatment. Pancreatic secretion was stimulated by secretin or cholecystokinin (2 units/kg, i.v., as a bolus). After each stimulus four 15 min. collections of pancreatic juice were analyzed for .**GRAPHIC**. and Cl- or total protein, amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. The organs were examined histologically. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma developed in 30% of the animals at 5 mo., 56% at 5.5 mo. and 100% at 6.5 mo. Animals without cancer had hyperplasia of the duct epithelium or were histologically normal. The histologic appearance of acinar tissue and protein secretion were normal in all groups. The tumors did not obstruct the major ducts. In all treated animals the pancreatic secretory response to secretin was of low volume, low maximal .**GRAPHIC**. output and low .**GRAPHIC**. These changes progressed with time. The secretory adnormalites antedated the appearance of the neoplasms and were not caused by obstruction.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: