Cholinergic stimulation of human pancreatic secretion.

The effect of graded doses of bethanechol on pancreatic secretion and plasma levels of pancreatic polypeptide and somatostatin was investigated in six healthy volunteers. In other studies the effect of a bethanechol background on the secretin-CCK stimulation of pancreatic secretion was also studied. Bethanechol caused a moderate stimulation of amylase secretion with a weak stimulation of bicarbonate secretion. These effects were not associated with significant changes in the plasma level of pancreatic polypeptide and somatostatin. Bethanechol enhanced the response to secretin and CCK. These results confirm a cholinergic pathway in the stimulation of pancreatic secretion in man.