The Effect of Glucagon on the Formation of Pancreatic Juice and Bile in the Rat

Abstract

The effect of porcine pancreatic glucagon on the formation of pancreatic juice and bile was studied in conscious rats. When the rats were fasting, intravenous infusions of glucagon were associated with depressions in the flow, and in the output of bicarbonate and protein in pancreatic juice (p < 0.001). By contrast, infusions of glucagon to rats during feeding were associated with increases in the formation of pancreatic juice, particularly the volume and bicarbonate fraction. The responses were greater than those recorded in rats that did not receive exogenous glucagon during feeding (p < 0.01). Glucagon did not appear to influence the formation of bile.