Pancreatic secretion in vitro in "Cl^–-free," "CO₂-free," and low-Na⁺ environment

¹ Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pancreatic secretion from the rabbit pancreas in vitro was not maintained in "Cl^–-free," "CO₂-free," or low-Na⁺ environments. When the missing ion was added to the bath, secretion recovered. Results show that "primary" HCO₃^– secretion need not be "isotonic" and that a HCO₃^–-Cl^– exchange mechanism may not be of major importance in producing a secretion of variable electrolyte composition. There was an interdependence of Cl^– and HCO₃^– output, suggesting that these ions are not secreted by independent mechanisms. HCO₃^– output in the absence of an exogenous CO₂ source was about 10% of control values. Na⁺ and Cl^–, as well as HCO₃^–, may be secreted primarily transcellularly. A "unicellular" model of pancreatic secretion based on the active secretion of Na⁺ and accumulation of K⁺ by the secreting pancreatic cell is presented.

Key Words: pancreas • electrolyte secretion • active transport • Na⁺, K⁺ Cl^–, HCO₃^– • Li⁺ and SO₄^– replacement

Submitted on February 11, 1965

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