Chronic alcoholism and canine exocrine pancreas secretion. A long term follow-up study.

Sequential changes in pancreatic secretion were evaluated during a 2- to 3-year follow-up study in 8 dogs provided with Thomas gastric and duodenal fistulas. Four animals were given intragastric ethanol (2 g kg-1) daily for 3 years; 4 others served as controls. In alcohol-fed animals: (1) Flow rate and bicarbonate output in response to 1 clinical unit kg-1 hr-1 of secretin were increased at the end of 2 years but not after 1 year of alcohol feeding. (2) At the end of 2 years, the dose-response curve of pancreatic secretion to cholecystokinin was unchanged but the maximal bicarbonate and water secretion in response to high doses of secretin were increased. Modifications (1) and (2) are explained by reduplication of pancreatic ducts secondary to the development of chronic pancreatitis, verified by biopsy. (3) The previous report by our group of an increased cholecystokinin release in the course of chronic alcohol consumption in dogs seems to be attributable to an artefact. This work shows that the pancreatic response to intraduodenal oleic acid is not significantly modifed by 3 years of alcohol feeding.