Relative Importance of Pancreatic, Hepatic, and Mucosal Bicarbonate in Duodenal Neutralization of Acid in Anaesthetized Pigs

Pancreatic and hepatic bicarbonate secretion and the disappearance rate of acid during duodenal acidification were measured simultaneously in anaesthetized pigs. Perfusion of the duodenum with HCI resulted in an increase in both hepatic and pancreatic bicarbonate secretion. During all acid loads hepatic bicarbonate secretion was significantly greater than pancreatic secretion. Furthermore, the disappearance rate of acid in the duodenum during diversion of both bile and pancreatic juice was significantly greater than the amount of acid which could be neutralized by the concomitant pancreatic bicarbonate secretion. Diversion of pancreatic juice from the duodenum did not affect the disappearance rate of acid at any acid load, whereas diversion of bile caused a significant decrease. Thus, in the anaesthetized pig the liver and the duodenal mucosa are of greater importance than the pancreas for the neutralization of acid in the duodenum. It is suggested that the importance of the pancreatic contribution to duodenal neutralization should be reevaluated in other species, including man.