Persisting modifications of dogs' basal exocrine pancreatic secretion after repeated intravenous calcium injections.

Biochemical, histological and crystallographic studies were carried out on the pure exocrine pancreatic juice of calcium treated dogs and of normal dogs. 1. A long-lasting effect of repeated intravenous calcium injections was observed on the protein basal secretion (output and concentration) with intraductal plug formation. 2. The ionic equilibrium was changed leading to modifications of protein and calcium solubilities with formation of protein and calcium precipitates. 3. Plugs were further studied: three components were identified, (a) cells mostly of ductal origin, (b) calcium salt already crystallized in the plug on coming out of the duct, (c) protein material in the central part of the plug. The importance of these data is in relation with pancreatic disorders by hypercalcaemia and hyperparathyroidism.