Motomu Kodama

Neural and humoral factors influence gastric receptive relaxation in dogs

To clarify the neural and humoral factors which control gastric receptive relaxation, the effects of various types of vagotomy or splanchnicotomy on receptive relaxation of the canine innervated corpus pouch were investigated. The influence of gastrin, histamine H1-receptor antagonist, and anti-histamine releasing agents on receptive relaxation were also examined. Selective proximal vagotomy or splanchnicotomy resulted in a slight disturbance in receptive relaxation. Truncal vagotomy produced a marked disturbance in receptive relaxation. Administration of tetragastrin potently inhibited receptive relaxation, however, recovery occurred by injecting a histamine H1-receptor antagonist. Increased serum gastrin induced by perfusion of the antrum with liver extract solution disturbed receptive relaxation and this response was inhibited by pretreatment with transamine, an inhibitor of histamine release from histamine secreting cells. These results indicate that receptive relaxation in the canine stomach is controlled not only by vagal and splanchnic nerves, but also by gastrin and histamine.

Residual Function of Exocrine Pancreas after Operation for Chronic Pancreatitis by N-Benzoyl-L-Tyrosyl-p-Aminobenzoic Acid Test (NBT-PABA Test)

The changes in the residual function of the exocrine pancreas before and after the operation for chronic pancreatitis were examined with N-benzoyl-L-tyrosyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (NBT-PABA test) in 15 patients. The results of the NBT-PABA test classified by the surgical formula proved that no significant difference was found between the pancreatectomized group (pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy) and the decompression group (pancreatojejunostomy and transduodenal exploration of the pancreatic duct), and no improvement on the outcome of the postoperative NBT-PABA test, as compared with the outcome of the preoperative test, was noted in both groups. When the state of the fibrosis of the pancreas was classified by the grade for comparison, it was observed that the outcome of the NBT-PABA test of grade 1, in which little fibrosis was made, was better than the outcome of the test of grade 3 before operation (p less than 0.01) and after operation (p less than 0.01). In each of the grades, however, no difference was found between the outcome of the preoperative NBT-PABA test, and that of the postoperative test. It was presumed from these findings that the residual function of the exocrine pancreas after operation was dependent largely on the degree of pancreatic fibrosis at operation.

Experimental gastric ulcers in the fundic gland area following transplantation of the gastric-wall pedicles.

Using adult mongrel dogs, a portion of the anterior gastric wall of the pyloric gland area was transplanted into the fundic gland area using the Z-plastic procedure forming an islet. Three weeks postoperatively, 2 per cent histamine in sesame oil was injected intramuscularly in a daily dose of 2 mg/kg body weight. Ulcers developed in the graft in nine of 19 animals. The factors responsible to the development of the ulcers may well be circulatory disturbance and reduction of mucosal resistance following surgical insult, and continuous irritation caused by gastric juice. When a portion of the anterior gastric wall of the fundic gland area was transplanted into the fundic gland area followed by administration of histamine in sesame oil, ulcers developed in the graft only in four of 12 animals. Histological examination revealed the regenerated epithelium at the margin of the ulcers.Thus the ulcers presently induced may provide an useful experimental model for ulcers in the fundic gland area.