Vagal secretory nerves for pancreatic secretion in the rat

Abstract

Chronic pancreatic-fistula rats were given subcutaneously 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 u of insulin after a fast of 12–16 hours. The volume flow and the amylase output were both significantly increased at a dose of 0.5 u. Insulin at a total dose of 1.0 and 2.0 u increased the amylase output but had no significant effect on the volume flow. The effect of insulin on either volume flow or amylase output was abolished by vagotomy. Under repeated secretin injection and urethane anesthesia, weak faradic stimulation of the peripheral end of the vagus also significantly increased the amylase concentration as well as its output. These findings demonstrate that there are vagal ‘secretory’ fibers for pancreatic secretion in the rat.