title: The biological relevance of N-terminal neurotensin fragments in the regulation of exocrine pancreas secretion.
abstract: Stimulation of the exocrine pancreas is one of the biological effects attributed to the tridecapeptide neurotensin (NT). Only the C-terminal 8-13 fragment with its extremely short plasma half-life in the peripheral circulation was considered to be necessary for biological activity. The N-terminal fragments that are detectable in peripheral blood in much greater concentrations were considered to be of no importance. In order to elucidate the biological relevance of these N-terminal fragments, five dogs were infused with neurotensin at a rate (50 pmol/kg/h) that had been determined to give physiological plasma concentrations. Pancreatic secretions were collected from previously implanted modified Herrera pouches. The effects of the N-terminal fragments NT 1-8 and NT 1-11 on the exocrine pancreas secretion were tested in the same way. It was possible for the first time to demonstrate a biological effect of the N-terminal fragments found in the postprandial circulation in vivo. The plasma concentrations determined by radioimmunoassay remained within the physiological range (less than 40 pg/ml). These N-terminal neurotensin fragments may therefore participate in the hormonal regulation of the exocrine pancreas secretion.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University of Göttingen, F.R.G.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nustede
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pfannkuche
authors.forename: U R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Fölsch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schafmayer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism; D004285:Dogs; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D009496:Neurotensin; C059582:neurotensin (1-11); C041968:neurotensin (1-8); D011761:Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid