Evidence for the existence of a gastropancreatic reflex.

The effect of distention of the stomach on pancreatic secretion was studied in conscious dogs which had chronic pancreatic fistulae. The results obtained are given. a ) In 37 experiments on 23 dogs the average rate of pancreatic secretion was 1.7 cc/20 minutes, while after inflation of a condom in the stomach with 250–400 cc of air the secretion increased in every dog to an average of 4.2 cc/20 minutes (147% change). This was accompanied by an increase in protein production of 98.7%. In five dogs receiving maximal stimulus from continuous secretin, there was a further rise in volume and protein following gastric distention. b ) Subcutaneous transplants of the pancreas responsed to secretin but not to gastric distention. c ) Distention of four total innervated gastric pouches produced the same increase in volume and protein as distention of intact stomachs. d ) Increased secretion was not observed after distention in vagotomized or atropinized dogs or dogs with procaine block of the vagus in the neck. e ) An increase in rate of secretion and protein occurred after distention of the stomach in two human subjects with pancreatic fistulae.