Effect of proton pump inhibitor on amylase release from isolated pancreatic acini

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) could inhibit the secretion of gastric acid. Meanwhile, it could also decrease the secretion of other digestive glands besides gastric parietal cell. As we know, PPIs have been widely used to treat acute pancreatitis, and it is effective in clinical practice. However, research showed the side effect of PPIs on acute pancreatitis. The direct effect of PPI on pancreatic secretion is still unknown. Our experiment investigated the direct effect of PPIs on pancreatic exocrine by isolated pancreatic acini. In our study, isolated pancreatic acini were prepared as previously described by Williams, and cerulein was added to stimulate its secretion. The amylase release in the suspension was determined after the administration of different concentrations of omeprazole and Sandostatin; and its activity was also observed in different time phases. In our in vitro study, all results suggest that omeprazole has no direct repression on amylase release from isolated pancreatic acini.     

Effects of secretin and caerulein on enzymes of cultured pancreatic acinar cells

Summary We examined the effects of secretin (0 to 200 nM) and caerulein (0 to 100 nM) on rat pancreatic acinar cells cultured 0 to 48 h in serum-free medium. The effects of 100 nM secretin with 1 nM caerulein were also studied because secretin may potentiate the effects of caerulein. Cellular and media (secreted) lipase and amylase were analyzed as were cellular DNA and protein content. Cellular lipase and amylase activities significantly decreased (P<0.0001) over time in all treatment groups, whereas media amylase and lipase significantly increased (P<0.0001). Neither secretin nor caerulein affected cellular lipase or media amylase. However, secretin significantly increased (P<0.04) and caerulein tended to increase (P<0.08) media lipase in a dose-dependent manner. At 12 h, 10 nM secretin maximally increased media lipase (58%), suggesting that cultured acinar cells remain responsive to secretin in vitro. Caerulein, at all concentrations, significantly decreased (P<0.001) cellular amylase but exhibited a dose-dependent effect only at 24 h when 100 nM caerulein maximally decreased cellular amylase (34%). Secretin (100 nM) did not alter these effects of caerulein. These results support the proposed role of caerulein in the regulation of amylase but not a direct role of secretin in the regulation of lipase. This study was supported in part by grant RO1 DK32690 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.     

The basicoxal gland, a new exocrine structure in poneromorph ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

The tegumental epithelium of the outer dorsolateral region in the proximal part of the coxae in the mid‐ and hindlegs of both workers and queens of the ants Odontomachus rixosus and O. simillimus is differentiated into a conspicuous and hitherto unknown exocrine gland. The glandular cells display a clear microvillar differentiation of their apical cell membrane, and are lined with the tegumental cuticle, which in this part contains crack‐like channels perpendicular to its surface, that carry the glandular secretions to the outside. Apical microvilli support the transport of substances, and contain an extension of tubular smooth endoplasmic reticulum in their centre. The function of the gland may be that of providing lubricant substances to the articulation region of the generally heavily sclerotized ponerine ant species. The gland is also found in several other ponerine and amblyoponine species, but not in the ectatommine species studied. The foreleg coxae lack a basicoxal gland in all species examined, which may be explained by the more limited articulation between the thorax and the coxae in the forelegs compared to the mid‐ and hindlegs.     

Impairment of pancreatic acinar function by reserpine in vivo and in vitro

Summary Chronic reserpine treatment of animals, an experimental model for cystic fibrosis (CF), results in generalized exocrinopathy, impaired pancreatic secretion, and decreased pancreatic content of amylase. The mechanisms of altered acinar function and decreased amylase content in both CF and the reserpine-treated rat are unknown. To examine this alteration, the rate of [³H]phenylalanine (phe) incorporation into cellular protein was determined in pancreatic acinar cells after reserpine treatment of rats in vivo (7 d) and of cells in vitro (1 to 24 h). Acinar cells isolated from control, chronic reserpine-treated, and pair-fed rats were incubated in vitro with 0, 30, 50, or 100 μM reserpine. Reserpine treatment in vitro for 24 h of acinar cells from control rats significantly decreased amylase activity (20 to 70%), an effect similar to that of reserpine treatment in vivo. In vivo, reserpine treatment decreased [³H]phe incorporation (disintegrations per minute per milligram protein) 56% in freshly isolated cells, but did not alter intracellular specific activity (disintegrations per minute per nanomole phe, SA) of [³H]phe. Reserpine treatment (30 and 50 μM) in vitro for 1 h also decreased [³H]phe incorporation by freshly isolated cells from control (53 to 85%) and pair-fed (40 to 68%) rats. Reserpine treatment for 24 h in vitro significantly decreased [³H]phe incorporation by cells from control (82 and 98%), pair-fed (80 and 95%), and chronic reserpine-treated (90 and 97%) rats as compared with cells from respective in vivo treatments cultured with no reserpine. In vitro reserpine treatment also decreased the intracellular SA of [³H]phe in freshly isolated cells from control (14 and 36%) and pair-fed (35 and 39%) rats and in cultured cells from control (11 and 86%), pair-fed (60 and 88%), and chronic reserpine-treated (49 and 76%) rats. However, these alterations of SA by reserpine did not account for the decreased incorporation of [³H]phe into acinar protein, which remained significantly lower (70 to 88%) when expressed as total phe incorporation. These results suggest (a) that reserpine acts directly on acinar cells to alter function and (b) that the ability of the pancreas to synthesize digestive enzymes may be impaired in this model of cystic fibrosis. This study was supported in part by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Bethesda, MD.     

Localization of calcitonin gene-related peptide and islet amyloid polypeptide in the rat and mouse pancreas

Summary It was previously demonstrated that the two chemically related peptides calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) both occur in the pancreas. We have now examined the cellular localization of CGRP and IAPP in the rat and the mouse pancreas. We found, in both the rat and the mouse pancreas, CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers throughout the parenchyma, including the islets, with particular association with blood vessels. CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were regularly seen within the islets. In contrast, no IAPP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were demonstrated in this location. Furthermore, in rat islets, CGRP immunoreactivity was demonstrated in peripherally located cells, constituting a major subpopulation of the somatostatin cells. Such cells were lacking in the mouse islets. IAPP-like immunoreactivity was demonstrated in rat and mouse islet insulin cells, and, in the rat, also in a few non-insulin cells in the islet periphery. These cells seemed to be identical with somatostatin/CGRP-immunoreactive elements. In summary, the study shows (1) that CGRP, but not IAPP, is a pancreati neuropeptide both in the mouse and the rat; (2) that a subpopulation of rat somatostatin cells contain CGRP; (3) that mouse islet endocrine cells do not contain CGRP; (4) that insulin cells in both the rat and the mouse contain IAPP; and (5) that in the rat, a non-insulin cell population apparently composed of somatostatin cells stores immunoreactive IAPP. We conclude that CGRP is a pancreatic neuropeptide and IAPP is an islet endocrine peptide in both the rat and the mouse, whereas CGRP is an islet endocrine peptide in the rat.     

Role of phospholipids in the binding of bumetanide to the rabbit parotid Na/K/Cl cotransporter

Summary It was recently reported (Turner, R.J., George, J.N., 1990,J. Membrane Biol. 113:203–210) that the high affinity bumetanide binding site of the rabbit parotid Na/K/Cl cotransporter could be extracted from a basolateral membrane preparation from this gland using relatively low concentrations of the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100. At the detergent: protein ratios required for complete membrane solubilization bumetanide binding activity in this extract was lost but could be recovered by the addition of crude soybean lipids. In the present paper the ability of various purified lipids to restore high affinity bumetanide binding activity in detergent solubilized rabbit parotid basolateral membranes is studied. We show that the effect of exogenous lipid on the detergent-inactivated bumetanide binding site is to increase the affinity of binding without affecting the number of binding sites. Of the 11 lipid species tested, several relatively minor, negatively charged membrane phospholipids are the most effective in restoring binding activity (phosphatidylserine phosphatidylglycerol > phosphatidylinositol > cardiolipin). while the major mammalian plasma membrane lipid components phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin and cholesterol are without effect. In addition, we show that in the presence of these minor lipids the affinity of bumetanide binding is considerably increased over that observed in the native membrane (e.g.,K _d 0.06 m in membranes extracted with 0.3% Triton and treated with 0.15% wt/vol phosphatidylserine,vs. K _d 3 m in native basolateral membranes). This dramatic dependence of bumetanide binding affinity on the presence of certain lipid species suggests that the properties of the bumetanide binding proteinin situ may be quite dependent on the minor lipid content of the plasma membrane. This effect may account for the relatively large variations in bumetanide binding affinity observed from tissue to tissue.     

Inhibition of gastric and pancreatic secretions by cerebroventricular injections of gastrin-releasing peptide and bombesin in rats

It has been suggested that mammalian gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and bombesin (BBS) might inhibit gastric secretion by a central nervous system action. The present investigations were intended to define the gastric effect and to look for an effect on the exocrine pancreas. Wistar male rats were provided with a chronic cannula allowing cerebroventricular injections in the 3rd ventricle, and with chronic gastric and/or pancreatic fistulas allowing the collection of gastric and/or pancreatic secretions in conscious animals. Both basal secretions were studied. Gastric secretion was stimulated with a 75 mg/kg s.c. injection of 2-deoxyglucose (2-dGlc). The dose range of bombesin was 0.01–1 μg (6–600 pmol) and GRP was 0.01–10 μg/rat (3.5 pmol to 3.5 nmol). A significant dose related decrease of basal gastric secretion was observed with the two peptides. The gastric acid response to 2-dGlc was inhibited by both peptides in a dose-related fashion and the reduction of gastric acid output mainly resulted from a decrease in the volume of gastric juice. The exocrine pancreatic secretion was also decreased by 30–55% after GRP but the BBS inhibitory effect was poorly dose-related. No significant difference was found after removal of gastric secretion, indicating that most of the pancreatic inhibition was independent of gastric secretion.     

Agonist-induced activation of Na+/H+ exchange in rat parotid acinar cells

Summary The present studies were designed to test our previous suggestion that Na⁺/H⁺ exchange was activated by muscarinic stimulation of rat parotid acinar cells. Consistent with this hypothesis, we demonstrate here that intact rat parotid acini stimulated with the muscarinic agonist carbachol in HCO ₃ ^– -free medium show an enhanced recovery from an acute acid load as compared to similarly challenged untreated preparations. Amiloride-sensitive²²Na uptake, due to Na⁺/H⁺ exchange, was also studied in plasma membrane vesicles prepared from rat parotid acini pretreated with carbachol. This uptake was stimulated twofold relative to that observed in vesicles from control (untreated) acini. This stimulation was time dependent, requiring 15 min of acinar incubation with carbachol to reach completion, and ws blocked by the presence of the muscarinic antagonist atropine (2×10^–5 m) in the pretreatment medium. The effect of carbachol was dose dependent withK _0.53×10^–6 m. Stimulation of the exchanger was also seen in vesicles prepared from acini pretreated with the -adrenergic agonist epinephrine, but not with the -adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, or with substance P. Kinetic analysis indicated that the stimulation induced by carbachol was due to an alkaline shift in the pH responsiveness of the exchanger in addition to an increasedapparent transport capacity. Taken together with previous results from this and other laboratories, these results strongly suggest that the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger and its regulation are intimately involved in the fluidsecretory response of the rat parotid.     

Ultrastructural investigation of the vesicular glands in Scutigera coleoptrata (Chilopoda,Notostigmophora)

In the notostigmophoran centipedes, two pairs of vesicular glands have evolved. These paired glands are situated in the first and second trunk segment and open via cuticular ducts in the upper part of the particular pleura. The vesicular glands of Scutigera coleoptrata were investigated using light and, for the first time, electron microscopical methods. The glands consist of wide sac‐like cavities that often appear vesicular. The epithelia of both glands are identically structured and consist of numerous glandular units. Each of these units consists of four different cells: a single secretory cell, a small intermediary cell, and one proximal and one distal canal cell. The intermediary cell forms a conducting canal and connects the secretory cell with the canal cells. Proximally, the intermediary cell bears microvilli, whereas the distal part is covered with a distinct cuticle. The cuticle is a continuation of the cuticle of the canal cells. This investigation shows that the ultrastructure of glandular units of the vesicular glands is comparable to that of the glandular units of other epidermal glands in Chilopoda and Diplopoda, although the glands look completely different in the light microscope. Thus, it is likely that the vesicular glands and epidermal glands share the same ground pattern. With regard to specific differences in the cuticular lining of the intermediary cells, a common origin of epidermal glands in Myriapoda and Hexapoda is not supported. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Interstitial cells of Cajal in pancreas

We show here (presumably for the first time) a special type of cell in the human and rat exocrine pancreas. These cells have phenotypic characteristics of the enteric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC). To identify pancreatic interstitial cells of Cajal (pICC) we used routine light microscopy, non-conventional light microscopy (less than 1 mum semi-thin sections of Epon-embedded specimens cut by ultramicrotomy and stained with Toluidine blue), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and immunocytochemistry. The results showed that pICC can be recognized easily by light microscopy, particularly on semi-thin sections, as well as by TEM. Two-dimensional reconstructions from serial photos suggest a network-like spatial distribution of pICC. pICC represent 3.3+/-0.5% of all pancreatic cells, and seem to establish close spatial relationships with: capillaries (43%), acini (40%), stellate cells (14%), nerve fibres (3%). Most of pICC (88%) have 2 or 3 long processes (tens of mum) emerging from the cell body. TEM data show that pICC meet the criteria for positive diagnosis as ICC (e.g. numerous mitochondria, 8.7+/-0.8% of cytoplasm). Immunocytochemistry revealed that pICC are CD117/c-kit and CD34 positive. We found pICC positive (40-50%) for smooth muscle alpha-actin or S-100, and, occasionally, for CD68, NK1 neurokinin receptor and vimentin. The reactions for desmin and chromogranin A were negative in pICC. At present, only hypotheses and speculations can be formulated on the possible role of the pICC (e.g., juxtacrine and/or paracrine roles). In conclusion, the quite-established dogma: "ICC only in cavitary organs" is overpassed.