Role of CCK-A receptor in the regulation of pancreatic bicarbonate secretion in conscious rats: a study in naturally occurring CCK-A receptor gene knockout rats.

Whether cholecystokinin (CCK) has a direct action on duct cells and the role of CCK-A receptor in bicarbonate secretion were examined by comparing the results obtained from OLETF (CCK-A receptor-deficient rats) and control (LETO) rats. Rats were prepared with cannulae for draining bile and pancreatic juice separately, with two duodenal cannulae and an external jugular vein cannula. The experiments were conducted without anesthesia. The responses of bicarbonate secretion to intravenous infusion of CCK, acetyl-beta-methylcholine (Ach), and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), and to intraduodenal infusion of HCl and a liquid meal were examined. To examine the synergistic effect between CCK and secretin, the effect of CCK during a background secretin infusion was examined in LETO rats. CCK did not stimulate bicarbonate secretion in either strain, nor in LETO rats with secretin infusion. When gastric acid secretion was prevented by administration of omeprazole, Ach did not increase bicarbonate secretion, but 2DG did in both strains. Intraduodenal infusion of HCI and a liquid meal significantly increased bicarbonate secretion in both strains; however, the responses were much less in OLETF than LETO rats. In conclusion, intravenous injection of CCK did not stimulate bicarbonate secretion, and the lack of CCK-A receptor decreased bicarbonate secretion in response to luminal stimulants.