THE INFLUENCE OF CHRONIC ADMINISTRATION OF PENTAGASTRIN ON THE RAT PANCREAS

Abstract

Chronic administration of pentagastrin to rats results in hypertrophy of the acinar cells of the pancreas. This hypertrophy is accompanied by a decrease in the specific activities of pancreatic enzymes of the tissue in terms of protein content, and an increase in the RNA : DNA ratio of the tissue. An increase in weight of a duodenal segment has also been observed. The suggestion is put forward that the tetrapeptide, Try‐Met‐Asp‐Phe‐NH 2 , the sequence occurring at the carboxyl terminus of gastrin and cholecystokinin, may exert a trophic influence upon several tissues of the upper gastrointestinal tract.