Cholinergic stimulatory effect of intragastric administration of a prostaglandin E2 analogue on pancreatic exocrine secretion in conscious rats.

The effect of a long-acting, potent synthetic analogue of prostaglandin E2, enprostil, on pancreatic exocrine secretion was examined in conscious rats. Rats were prepared with cannulae draining bile and pancreatic juice separately. Pancreatic exocrine secretion was increased by intragastric administration of enprostil but inhibited by its intravenous administration. The pancreatic response to intragastric administration of enprostil was not inhibited by the administration of cholecystokinin antagonist or secretin antibody, or by bilateral vagotomy, but was completely abolished by atropine. Therefore, intragastric administration of enprostil seemed to stimulate pancreatic exocrine secretion via a peripheral gastro-(entero)-pancreatic reflex.