A multihormonal tumor of the pancreas producing neurotensin

Abstract

In a pancreatic adenoma approximately 78.7% of the endocrine cells reacted specifically with antisera to neurotensin, 17.5% to gastrin, 2.8% to pancreatic polypeptide, and 1% to glucagon. The electron microscope revealed that the majority of the endocrine cells were N-cells—morphologically similar to the ileal N-cells which are known to represent the neurotensin-producing cells. Neurotensin was extracted from the tumor and identified by Sephadex, ion-exchange, and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide, and glucagon cells were also identified by the electron microscope; the peptides were extracted and demonstrated by chromatography. The serum concentrations of these hormones were elevated. After total gastrectomy which was necessary because of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a jejunoesophageal alkaline reflux, reaching the upper esophagus appeared. As intravenous infusion of synthetic neurotensin in rats caused an increase of luminal enteric pressure, it is suggested that severe jejunoesophageal reflux after gastrectomy may be a clinical feature of a neurotensinoma.