Norepinephrine stimulates amylase release from pancreatic acini.
alpha-Adrenergic blockade decreases food-stimulated amylase secretion in dogs, suggesting that physiologic sympathetic nerve discharge of norepinephrine enhances pancreatic enzyme secretion. Previous studies have not separated direct effects of adrenergic agonists on pancreatic exocrine cells from effects on blood flow. An in vitro preparation of dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas was modified and amylase release in response to common pancreatic stimulants was measured. It was demonstrated that physiologic concentrations of norepinephrine enhance amylase release from dispersed pancreatic acini evoked by supramaximal concentrations of cholecystokinin. These observations suggest that the sympathetic nervous system plays a role in modulating pancreatic enzyme secretion independent of effects on blood flow.
D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology; D012633:Secretin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012844:Sincalide
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012633:Secretin; D001285:Atropine; D002217:Carbachol; D002766:Cholecystokinin; D000681:Amylases; D012844:Sincalide; D009638:Norepinephrine