The ultrastructure of periductal connective tissue and distinctive populations of collagen fibrils associated with ductal epithelia of exocrine glands.
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The ultrastructure of the connective tissue around the intraglandular ducts was observed in rat exocrine glands. Connective tissue with a dense population of collagen fibrils was found either around the ducts and blood vessels (perivasculoductal connective tissue; PVDCT) as in the lacrimal and salivary glands and liver, or solely surrounding the ducts (periductal connective tissue; PDCT) as in the exocrine pancreas, whereas the interlobular and intralobular interstitium of the glands-except for the liver-contained substantially fluid-filled spaces without collagen fibrils. The PVDCT and PDCT of these glands contained two populations of collagen fibrils-fibroblast-associated and epithelium-associated-although the development and density of these fibrils varied considerably in individual glands. Both populations of collagen fibrils were most developed in the lacrimal glands, in which the basal aspects of the ductal epithelium and the basement membrane showed considerable undulation associated with a distinctive peribasement membrane zone with amorphous matter and a small population of the fibrils. In the parotid and submandibular glands, both populations were distinct, though poorly developed. In the exocrine pancreas and hepatic Glisson's sheath, the two populations of collagen fibrils were moderately developed, and the basal aspects of the ductal epithelium were characterized by prominent invaginations in which the multilaminar basement membranes and the epithelium-associated collagen fibrils were frequently engulfed. These observations provide evidence that the two populations of collagen fibrils around the ducts are found universally in exocrine glands, and support the hypothesis of the collagen fibril-synthesizing and -secreting ability of ductal epithelial cells. (+info)
Luminal CCK and its neuronal action on exocrine pancreatic secretion.
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Gut regulatory peptides are produced by mucosal endocrine cells and released both into the circulation as well as into the gut lumen. Following stimulation the distribution between the circulation and gut lumen changes in favor of the gut lumen. In the blood plasma, the biological half-life of gut regulatory peptides is counted in single minutes due to high aminopeptidase activity and liver extraction. In the gut lumen, however, regulatory peptides retain their biological activity much longer, especially in newborn and young animals. A series of studies was performed in neonatal calves and pigs to explore the role of luminal cholecystokinin (CCK) on the regulation of exocrine pancreatic secretion. In anaesthetized neonatal calves, CCK was secreted into the duodenal lumen, and electrical vagal stimulation increased CCK release into the duodenal lumen but not into the circulating blood. In conscious calves, luminal CCK-8 stimulated pancreatic protein secretion by a neurohormonal mechanism dependent on a duodenal mucosal CCK1 receptor and vagal nerve activity. Immunocytochemistry pointed to an association of mucosal CCK1 and CCK2 receptors with neuronal components in the small intestine of neonatal calves. Experiments in calves and pigs with CCK-8 infusions into the duodenal branches of the right gastroepiploic artery confirmed the results of luminal CCK-8 and questioned the physiological relevance of a direct mechanism of CCK on the pancreatic acini. (+info)
Exocrine pancreas; molecular basis for intracellular signaling, damage and protection--Polish experience.
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Polish experience in molecular pancreatology mostly involves experimental work on intracellular signal transduction mechanisms in pancreatic acinar cells. It was found that stimulation with cholecystokinin (CCK) or exposure of pancreatic acini to reactive oxygen species induces three separate signaling cascades leading to activation of ERKs, JNK/SAPKs and p38 MAPK. In pancreatic acini, ERK cascade is also activated by epidermal growth factor (EGF). However, CCK and EGF activate this cascade by different mechanisms. EGF activates the cascade in a classical Ras-dependent manner, while CCK-induced activation of the ERK cascade is Ras-independent. Furthermore, stimulation with CCK leads to a rapid activation of PKC, which in turn may directly activate Raf family of kinases. Freshly isolated pancreatic acini contain pancreatic stellate cells which respond to EGF by activation of ERK cascade. It is possible that stimulation with CCK and EGF induces a cross-talk between acinar and stellate cells. Isolated pancreatic acinar cells irradiated with UV-B die predominantly by apoptosis while necrosis predominates among the cells subjected to supraphysiological concentrations of CCK. In pancreatic acini subjected to stressful stimuli the regulation of apoptosis may involve interaction between ERK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Acute pancreatitis in rats and in humans is associated with a marked increase in the plasma level of leptin which is caused by increased production of this peptide in the inflamed pancreas. It is possible that exogenous leptin protects the pancreas against development of acute pancreatitis by the activation of nitric oxide pathway. (+info)
Pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma concentration of some gastrointestinal hormones in response to abomasal infusion of starch hydrolyzate and/or casein.
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Eight Angus steers (290 +/- 8 kg), surgically prepared with pancreatic pouch-duodenal reentrant cannulas and abomasal infusion catheters were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square experiment to investigate the effects of abomasal infusion of starch hydrolyzate (SH) and/or casein on pancreatic exocrine secretion and plasma concentration of hormones. Steers were fed a basal diet of alfalfa (1.2 x NEm) in 12 equal portions daily. Abomasal infusion treatments (6-L total volume infused per day) were water (control), SH [2.7 g/(kg BW x d)], casein [0.6 g/(kg BW x d)], and SH + casein. Periods were 3 d for adaptation and 8 d of full infusion. Pancreatic juice and jugular blood samples were collected over 30-min intervals for 6 h on d 11. Weight and pH of pancreatic samples were measured, and a 10% subsample was composited and frozen until analysis of total protein and pancreatic enzyme activities. The remaining sample was returned to the duodenum. Plasma was harvested and frozen until analyzed. Pancreatic juice (67 mL/h) and protein (1.8 g/h) secretion rates were not affected by nutrient infusion. There were SH x casein interactions for all pancreatic enzyme secretions (U/h; alpha-amylase, P < 0.03; trypsin, P < 0.08; and chymotrypsin, P < 0.03) and plasma insulin concentration (P < 0.10). Secretion of pancreatic enzymes was increased by SH (trypsin) and casein (alpha-amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin) but not when SH + casein were infused together. Glucose (P < 0.10) and cholecystokinin octapeptide concentrations (CCK-8; P < 0.05) were increased by SH, but glucagon was decreased (P < 0.10). Casein decreased (P < 0.10) plasma CCK-8 concentrations. These data indicate that positive effects of postruminal casein on enzyme secretion were inhibited by SH, emphasizing the complexity of the regulatory mechanisms involved in dietary adaptation of pancreatic exocrine secretion. Changes in hormone concentration may not relate directly to changes in enzyme secretion. (+info)
Cleavage of SNAP-25 and VAMP-2 impairs store-operated Ca2+ entry in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.
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We recently reported that store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) in nonexcitable cells is likely to be mediated by a reversible interaction between Ca(2+) channels in the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum, a mechanism known as "secretion-like coupling." As for secretion, in this model the actin cytoskeleton plays a key regulatory role. In the present study we have explored the involvement of the secretory proteins synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP-25) and vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) in SOCE in pancreatic acinar cells. Cleavage of SNAP-25 and VAMPs by treatment with botulinum toxin A (BoNT A) and tetanus toxin (TeTx), respectively, effectively inhibited amylase secretion stimulated by the physiological agonist CCK-8. BoNT A significantly reduced Ca(2+) entry induced by store depletion using thapsigargin or CCK-8. In addition, treatment with BoNT A once SOCE had been activated reduced Ca(2+) influx, indicating that SNAP-25 is needed for both the activation and maintenance of SOCE in pancreatic acinar cells. VAMP-2 and VAMP-3 are expressed in mouse pancreatic acinar cells. Both proteins associate with the cytoskeleton upon Ca(2+) store depletion, although only VAMP-2 seems to be sensitive to TeTx. Treatment of pancreatic acinar cells with TeTx reduced the activation of SOCE without affecting its maintenance. These findings support a role for SNAP-25 and VAMP-2 in the activation of SOCE in pancreatic acinar cells and show parallels between this process and secretion in a specialized secretory cell type. (+info)
Effects of increased intracellular cAMP on carbachol-stimulated zymogen activation, secretion, and injury in the pancreatic acinar cell.
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A characteristic of acute pancreatitis is the premature activation and retention of enzymes within the pancreatic acinar cell. Because ligands linked to cAMP production may prevent some forms of pancreatitis, we evaluated the effects of increased intracellular cAMP in the rat pancreatic acinar cell. Specifically, this study examined the effects of the cholinergic agonist carbachol and agents that increase cAMP [secretin and 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP)] on zymogen activation (trypsin and chymotrypsin), enzyme secretion, and cellular injury in isolated pancreatic acini. Although cAMP agonists affected the responses to physiological concentrations of carbachol (1 microM), their most prominent effects were observed with supraphysiological concentrations (1 mM). When secretin was added to 1 mM carbachol, there was a slight increase in zymogen activation, but no change in the secretion of amylase or chymotrypsin. Furthermore, coaddition of secretin increased parameters of cell injury (trypan blue exclusion, lactic dehydrogenase release, and morphological markers) compared with carbachol (1 mM) alone. Although directly increasing cellular cAMP by 8-Br-cAMP caused much greater zymogen activation than carbachol (1 mM) alone or with secretin, 8-Br-cAMP cotreatment reduced all parameters of injury to the level of unstimulated acini. Furthermore, 8-Br-cAMP dramatically enhanced the secretion of amylase and chymotrypsin from the acinar cell. This study demonstrates that increasing acinar cell cAMP can overcome the inhibition of enzyme secretion caused by high concentrations of carbachol and eliminate acinar cell injury. (+info)
Fat absorption in cystic fibrosis mice is impeded by defective lipolysis and post-lipolytic events.
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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is frequently associated with progressive loss of exocrine pancreas function, leading to incomplete digestion and absorption of dietary fat. Supplementing patients with pancreatic lipase reduces fat excretion, but it does not completely correct fat malabsorption, indicating that additional pathological processes affect lipolysis and/or uptake of lipolytic products. To delineate the role of such (post) lipolytic processes in CF-related fat malabsorption, we assessed fat absorption, lipolysis, and fatty acid uptake in two murine CF models by measuring fecal fat excretion and uptake of oleate- and triolein-derived lipid. Pancreatic and biliary function was investigated by determining lipase secretion and biliary bile salt (BS) secretion, respectively. A marked increase in fecal fat excretion was observed in cftr null mice but not in homozygous DeltaF508 mice. Fecal BS loss was enhanced in both CF models, but biliary BS secretion rates were similar. Uptake of free fatty acid was delayed in both CF models, but only in null mice was a specific reduction in lipolytic activity apparent, characterized by strongly reduced triglyceride absorption. Impaired lipolysis was not due to reduced pancreatic lipase secretion. Suppression of gastric acid secretion partially restored lipolytic activity and lipid uptake, indicating that incomplete neutralization of gastric acid impedes fat absorption. We conclude that fat malabsorption in cftr null mice is caused by impairment of lipolysis, which may result from aberrant duodenal pH regulation. (+info)
Genetic alterations and reduced expression of tumor suppressor p33(ING1b) in human exocrine pancreatic carcinoma.
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AIM: To detect the expression of p33(ING1b) protein and the change of p33(ING1b) gene in pancreatic carcinoma and to evaluate the significance of p33(ING1b) in pancreatic cell carcinogenesis. METHODS: Pathological specimens from pancreatic carcinoma and matched non-tumor pancreatic tissues were examined for p33(ING1b) expression and mutation by immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphisms (PCR-SSCP) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH). RESULTS: The rate of p33(ING1b) protein expression was 85% (34/40). A single germline missense mutation was detected in 1 of 40 tumors located at codon 215:TGC-TCC (Cys-Ser). Fourteen (60.9%) of 23 tumor samples showed LOH in all of the informative markers tested, but no mutation was detected in these tumors and only two of the informative tumors lacked expressions of p33(ING1b) protein. CONCLUSION: Mutation and loss of expression are not the main reasons for the disfunction of p33(ING1b) in pancreatic carcinoma, an abnormality at the level of chromosome and/or transcription may inhibit their normal functions, potentially contributing to pancreatic cell carcinogenesis. (+info)