Pharmacologic effects of gastrointestinal hormones on intestinal oxygen consumption and blood flow.

The vasoactive effects of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-OP), pentagastrin, synthetic secretin, glucagon, and acetylcholine were assessed in the intestinal circulation of the dog. In pharmacologic doses of glucagon, CCK-OP, and, to a lesser degree, pentagastrin significantly increased blood flow and oxygen consumption. Atropine blocked the vasodilator effects of CCK-OP, pentagastrin, and acetylcholine but did not block those of glucagon. Neither the alpha-adrenergic blocker, phenoxybenzamine, nor the beta-adrenergic blocker, propranolol, blocked the vasodilator response to pentagastrin. Synthetic secretin had no significant effect on either blood flow or oxygen consumption in the intestinal segment. The vasodilator response to CCK-OP and pentagastrin appears to be mediated specifically through cholinergic receptors.