Changes of duodenal pH and pancreatic exocrine function after upper G-I intraluminal ethanol administration.

Using 3 outbred dogs with pancreatic, gastric and jejunal fistulas, we examined changes in pancreatic exocrine secretion, duodenal pH and plasma CCK concentration after intragastric or intrajejunal administration of ethanol. Intragastric administration of 20% or 40% ethanol significantly lowered the pH in the duodenal cavity, and pancreatic fluid secretion and bicarbonate excretion were stimulated. Intrajejunal administration of ethanol elicited stronger responses. Plasma CCK concentration was not changed or was only slightly lowered by ethanol administration in the digestive tract. It is assumed that stimulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion was mediated by the secretion of gastric acid.