Effect of irradiation on the canine exocrine pancreas.
Effects of irradiation on the pancreas was studied in 6 dogs receiving a dose equivalent to the biologic effect of 4000 R/6 weeks (with a nominal stnadard dose of 1175 rets) given to patients with Hodgkins disease. After control secretory, histologic and pancreatographic studies, 6 Thomas fistula dogs were subjected to 2400 R tumor dose over two weeks. There was a biphasic response to secretin alone or secretin with cholecystokininpancreozymin. An initial hypersecretion occurred at 2 weeks --volume was increased, but bicarbonate and enzyme output remained unchanged. Thereafter there was a progressive reduction in volume, bicarbonate and enzyme outputs ( greater than 90% after 3 months). Histology showed early ductal reduplication but with progressive fibrosis, features compatible with chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic insufficiency may contribute to post-irradiation gastrointestinal symptomatology. Close field irradiation of the pancreas results in actual destruction of the parenchyma.
D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000032:analysis; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D010189:Pancreatic Juice / Q000032:analysis; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000209:etiology*; D012633:Secretin / Q000494:pharmacology
D001639:Bicarbonates; D012633:Secretin; D002766:Cholecystokinin