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We investigated the effect of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and its antagonist RC-3095 on intestinal microcirculation after ischemia-reperfusion. Intestinal ischemia was induced in female Wistar rats by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 40 min. Ten minutes prior to reperfusion, infusion of GRP or RC-3095 was started. A jejunal segment was exteriorized and the microhemodynamics of the mucosa and submucosa were examined by intravital microscopy and compared both with normal and ischemic controls (without application of the regulatory peptide). Ischemia-reperfusion significantly decreased functional capillary density from 891.2 +/- 14.1 to 398.3 +/- 11.4 cm(-1). Capillary red blood cell velocity was reduced from 0.46 +/- 0.01 to 0.37 +/- 0.01 mm/s (p < 0.05). Furthermore, both sticking and rolling of leukocytes were enhanced. 3.4 +/- 1.1% of the villi were not perfused at all. GRP infusion reversed the microcirculatory ischemia-reperfusion injury by increasing functional capillary density to 669.8 +/- 8.3 cm(-1) and red blood cell velocity to 0.62 +/- 0.01 mm/s (p < 0.05). In addition, application of GRP resulted in a complete absence of stasis (0%) in the villi. Leukocyte-endothelium adherence remained unchanged when compared to the ischemic controls. In contrast, application of RC-3095 caused an aggravation of microcirculatory disturbances demonstrated by a markedly increased number of non-perfused villi (42.5 +/- 4.2%; p < 0.05 vs. ischemic controls) and a significantly reduced functional capillary density (346.2 +/- 8.4 cm(-1), p < 0.05 vs. ischemic controls). In addition, RC-3095 led to an increased permanent leukocyte adherence in postcapillary venules whereas rolling was significantly reduced when compared to normal controls. We conclude that GRP in pharmacological doses has a protective effect on intestinal microcirculation during reperfusion. Furthermore, these data suggest that endogenous GRP may play a decisive role in the maintenance of microvascular integrity during reperfusion., (Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Exocrine pancreatic secretion in conscious dogs is significantly stimulated by the intravenous application of small doses of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP; 30 pmol x kg-1 x h-1). There is no increase of the GRP concentrations in peripheral blood which is also the case under physiological postprandial conditions. There is also no increase in the peripheral cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations, in contrast to previous reports. Nevertheless other CCK-related mechanisms may play an important role, since the administration of the highly specific CCK receptor antagonist MK-329 causes a marked reduction of the GRP-induced exocrine pancreatic secretion.

We characterized the effect of the specific cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor antagonist loxiglumide (CR 1505) on gallbladder contraction, pancreatic enzyme output and plasma CCK concentrations determined by radioimmunoassay and bioassay. Gallbladder emptying and bilirubin output in response to the intraduodenal administration of a mixed liquid meal were completely inhibited by an intravenous infusion of loxiglumide (10 mg/kg/h). In contrast, meal-stimulated pancreatic enzyme secretion was diminished by only 30-40%. CCK concentrations in response to the test meal were 3-fold higher during infusion of loxiglumide, as determined by radioimmunoassay. In the absence of the antagonist, the bioassay measured CCK plasma levels identical to those determined by radioimmunoassay. In the presence of loxiglumide, CCK-like bioactivity was not detectable, indicating that the plasma concentrations of the CCK receptor antagonist were sufficient to abolish all circulating CCK-like bioactivity. We conclude that fasting volume and meal-induced contraction of the gallbladder are controlled by CCK. Postprandial pancreatic enzyme secretion, however, is mainly mediated by non-CCK-dependent mechanisms. Plasma CCK-like immunoreactivity is increased by loxiglumide, whereas plasma CCK-like bioactivity is zero in the presence of an CCK-receptor antagonist.

Since endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) is released after oral administration of camostate, it has been suggested that camostate-induced pancreatic growth is mediated via circulating CCK. To test this concept, we investigated the effects of three potentially inhibitory substances on rat pancreatic hypertrophy caused by feeding of camostate over 2 weeks: (1) L-364,718, the novel specific highly potent nonpeptide CCK receptor antagonist, (2) octreotide (SMS 201-995), a potent long-lasting somatostatin analogue and (3) pancreastatin (33-49), the biologically active C-terminal fragment of the novel gastrointestinal peptide pancreastatin. Camostate feeding (200 mg/kg) once daily for 14 days induced a significant increase in pancreatic weight, total protein, trypsinogen and polyamine levels, whereas total amylase content was substantially diminished. Simultaneous oral or subcutaneous treatment with L-364,718 (0.3 mg/kg twice daily) completely suppressed all trophic effects of camostate. Octreotide (25 micrograms/kg twice daily s.c.) and pancreastatin (33-49) (10 micrograms/kg twice daily s.c.) did not change any trophic parameter. In case of octreotide it could be shown that two daily injections only partially suppressed elevated CCK levels. Pancreatic DNA and putrescine levels were slightly reduced in rats receiving the CCK antagonist alone. These results demonstrate that camostate-induced pancreatic hypertrophy in rats is caused by the release of endogenous CCK which may contribute to the maintenance of normal pancreatic DNA and putrescine concentrations.