Long-term exocrine function of the pancreas transplant.

The long-term exocrine function of fifty-nine pancreaticoduodenal isografts was evaluated in rats for up to one year post transplantation. At one, three, six, nine, and twelve months after transplantation the grafts were cannulated and the exocrine secretion was collected. The volume, protein content, pH, amylase and trypsin concentrations, and electrolyte composition of the secretion were compared with those obtained from the host pancreas in nineteen control rats. Twenty-four hour secretion studies demonstrated normal basal function of the pancreas transplant when compared with that of the host. Pancreozymin stimulation caused an increase in volume, trypsin concentration, and amylase concentration of the graft pancreas secretion that was similar to those seen in the host. These studies indicate that there is normal exocrine secretion of pancreas transplants in the absence of rejection and that denervation of the gland has little direct effect on over-all pancreatic function.