Inhibitory effect of a cholecystokinin antagonist on the proliferative response of the pancreas to pancreatobiliary diversion

Gut. 1991 Sep;32(9):1049-54. doi: 10.1136/gut.32.9.1049.

Abstract

Since pancreatobiliary diversion probably stimulates pancreatic growth by increasing cholecystokinin secretion, the effect of the cholecystokinin antagonist CR-1409 on this adaptive response was tested. Male Wistar rats (n = 108) weighing 220-250g were randomised to receive either pancreatobiliary diversion (n = 60) or sham diversion (n = 48) and thereafter to receive either saline injections or CR-1409 (10 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously). Rats were killed at four, seven, and 14 days postoperatively, when blood was obtained for cholecystokinin assay and the pancreas was assessed for proliferative activity by three techniques: nucleic acid and protein assay, bromodeoxyuridine labelling, and metaphase arrest after vincristine administration (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Pancreatobiliary diversion increased plasma cholecystokinin concentrations by 91% at seven days and 137% at 14 days, irrespective of CR-1409 treatment. Total pancreatic RNA content was doubled by pancreatobiliary diversion at four days (2.15 v 1.07 mg/100 g body weight: p less than 0.001) and at seven days (3.43 v 1.76 mg/100 g: p less than 0.001), and trebled at 14 days (4.27 v 1.32 mg/100 g: p less than 0.001). Pancreatobiliary diversion increased bromodeoxyuridine labelling index from 1.1 to 3.7% at seven days and the cell birth rate from 0.09 to 0.06%. CR-1409 completely abolished this proliferative response and partly prevented the rise in RNA. The results confirm pancreatic hypertrophy and increased acinar cell proliferation after pancreatobiliary diversion. CR-1409 prevents this adaptive growth, probably by blocking cholecystokinin receptors. Bromodeoxyuridine labelling and the metaphase arrest technique may be used to assess pancreatic cell kinetics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology
  • Animals
  • Biliopancreatic Diversion*
  • Cell Count
  • Cholecystokinin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cholecystokinin / blood
  • Male
  • Mitosis / drug effects
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Pancreas / cytology
  • Pancreas / drug effects*
  • Proglumide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Proglumide / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Cholecystokinin
  • Proglumide
  • lorglumide