Experimental studies on the influence of simultaneous ligation of the bile and pancreatic ducts upon gastric acid secretion and gut hormones.

The influence of simultaneous ligation of the bile and pancreatic ducts on gastric acid secretion and gut hormones, particularly gastrin and secretin, was studied in 5 dogs with a Heidenhain pouch. In addition, the pH of the duodenal content was measured in 2 dogs with a duodenal fistula. Tests in response to a test meal were done during the control and observation periods. In all of the 5 dogs the mean 24 hr-acid output from the Heindenhain pouches showed a significant increase from 199 to 564%. Plasma gastrin levels during the fasting showed no significant change, but the peak response to the test meal significantly decreased from 83.6 +/- 4.4 pg/ml (mean +/- S.E.) before the ligation to 42.1 +/- 4.2 pg/ml after the ligation. Plasma secretin levels were significantly elevated after the ligation both during fasting and after the test meal. The pH of the duodenal contents after the test meal was lower after the ligation than before. These results suggest that gastric hypersecretion induced by the simultaneous ligation of the common bile and pancreatic ducts is not related simply to release of gastrin, and further hypersercretinemia may depend on gastric hypersecretion.