Effect of caerulein upon insulin and glucagon secretion in dogs.

In order to investigate the action of caerulein upon insulin and glucagon secretion, experimental studies were carried out using anesthetized dogs, in which graded doses of caerulein were infused into the pancreatic artery, and insulin and glucagon were measured in the blood obtained from the pancreatic vein. When caerulein was administered at a rate of 15 ng/min, neigher changes of blood glucose in the femoral artery nor plasma levels of insulin or glucagon in the pancreatic vein were prominent. Caerulein infusion at a rate of 120, 240 or 480 ng/min caused a prompt rise of plasma insulin and a delayed increase of plasma glucagon in the pancreatin vein. Blood glucose in the femoral artery increased only with caerulein doses of 240 ng/min or more. A significant increase in pancreatic vein blood flow rate was demonstrated after the infusion of caerulein at a rate of 240 ng/min or more. Neither caerulein-induced insulin secretion nor glucagon secretion was influenced by a simultaneous infusion of glucose. In contrast, caerulein-induced glucagon secretion was exaggreated by a simultaneous arginine infusion. It was concluded from the present experiments that caerulein infusion into the pancreatic artery resulted in increased secretion of insulin and glucagon from the pancreas.