An additional secretory protein in the rat pancreas.

An additional protein in rat pancreatic juice has been observed, which is present in healthy rats after pancreatic duct cannulation or in rats in which experimental pancreatitis has been induced by either cerulein or taurocholate. The protein appears 1/2-1 day after surgery or onset of pancreatitis, is present for the following 3-4 days and disappears afterwards. It is found in pancreatic homogenate or in zymogen granules from rats with pancreatitis, but not in normal rats. It does not seem to be related to the recently described 'pancreatic stone protein'. We would like to refer to this protein as 'pancreatitis-associated protein'.