Colonic proteolysis following pancreatic duct ligation in the rat.

Luminal proteolytic activity (PA) of different colonic segments was ascertained in animals subjected to pancreatic duct ligation (PDL) and in control rats. The PDL rats revealed a significant PA reduction in the cecum, proximal colon (P < 0.01), and distal colon (P < 0.005). Proteolytic activity, trypsin, and chymotrypsin activity in control rats diminished progressively from the cecum to the distal colon. Conversely in PDL rats, we found maximal PA in distal colon. The conclusion is drawn that a significant proportion of colonic proteolytic activity can be attributed to pancreatic proteases with a maximal contribution at cecum level.