Exocrine pancreatic function after total gastrectomy in rat.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Subsequent to total gastrectomy, many patients develop maldigestion and weight loss. The mechanisms that underlie these changes are not known. Therefore, the present study investigates the influence of total gastrectomy on pancreatic function in rats.

METHODOLOGY

Animals were divided into two groups. Group 1, sham operations (S) (n=8), Group2, total gastrectomy (n=10) with an end-to-end anastomosis between the esophagus and duodenum. After four weeks, the entire pancreas was excised. Measurement of amylase, lipase, weight,DNA and total protein were carried out in the homogenized pancreatic tissue.

RESULTS

The pancreatic response to total gastrectomy in our experimental data was reflected the retardation of pancreatic growth with a decrease in pancreatic wet weight, DNA, protein, pancreatic amylase and pancreatic lipase.

CONCLUSIONS

After total gastrectomy, rats developed sever primary exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. These experimental data indicate that stomach has an influence on the regulation of the exocrine pancreas and that changes in the integrity of the stomach can induce functional alterations in the exocrine pancreas.