Vagovagal Stimulation of Pancreatic-Polypeptide Secretion by Graded Distention of the Gastric Fundus and Antrum in Man

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that pancreatic polypeptide (PP) secretion is regulated by efferent, vagal stimulation. In the present study the afferent part of a vagovagal pathway has been investigated in two different ways: (I) Graded fundic distention: in 8 patients with duodenal ulcer ballon distention with 150 ml of the fundus and the body of the stomach increased PP concentrations in plasma from 19 (17–26) to 41 (35–48) pmol/l, median and interquartile range. Distention by 300 and 600 ml did not further increase PP concentrations. After denervation of the fundus by proximal gastric vagotomy, no increase in PP levels was observed during distention with 50 and 300 ml whereas distention by 600 ml was followed by a small increase. (II) Graded antral distention: balloon distention with 50, 100 and 150 ml of the antrum increased plasma PP concentrations in 7 healthy subjects and 14 duodenal ulcer patients. Maximal PP response was achieved by distention with 100 ml, healthy subjects: from 14 (12–23) to 40 (26–44) pmol/l, and duodenal ulcer patients: from 25 (13–38) to 47 (22–63) pmol/l, median and interquartile range. It is concluded that a gastropancreatic reflex stimulating PP secretion through a long vagovagal pathway is present in man, and that this mechanism probably is involved in the initial PP response during a meal.

Cholecystokinin Release by Gastric Distension – An Atropine-Sensitive Mechanism

“…However, the distension method [5. 9] and the disten sion volumes [5] employed were comparable to previous investigations.…”

“…The earlier described stimulation of PP release by fundic distension [5] was confirmed, whereas the effect of antral distension [5] was less impressive in this study and just failed significance. Atropine completely abolished distension-induced PP response.…”

“…A gastropancreatic reflex seems to operate in the control of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) secretion: gastric disten sion induces PP release [4. 5] which is abol ished by vagotomy [5], In addition, a func tional linkage between the stomach and the exocrine pancreas has been known for more than 20 years. White et al [6] demonstrated protein release from the innervated pancreas by gastric distension in dogs: this was not observed after atropinization, vagotomy or in the transplanted denervated pancreas.…”

Effect of Food on Porcine Gut Regulatory Peptides in Arterial and Portal Venous Blood

“…The rapidity of the elevation suggests neural control, a hypothesis that has been confirmed by numerous other studies [21,22], Gastrin was released very rapidly from the antrum after a meal, but the PV/A difference was small and insignificant. Although we did not measure separate forms of gastrin, our data suggest that in the pig the liver does not play a major role in removing gastrin from the circulation.…”

Effects of Fenugreek Seeds on Endocrine Pancreatic Secretions in Dogs

“…Basal levels of plasma PP as well as the initial response of this hor mone to the oral glucose intake were in creased after treatment with fenugreek. As it is presently admitted that the vagal nerve is strongly involved in the stimulation of PP secretion [23][24][25], it is possible that the chronic intake of fenugreek seeds produces a vagal hypersensitization.…”