A STUDY OF THE METABOLIC ACTIVITY OF THE PANCREAS

Abstract

Exps. on dogs by a method (described) for the study of the metabolism of a gland in situ indicate that the secretion of pancreatic juice is accompanied by an increased consumption of O. A considerable O debt is usually "paid" within 30 min. after the gland has ceased to secrete. At the beginning of secretion there is a fall in the pancreatic venous COa due to the removal of much of the metabolic COa of the gland by the juice. In some cases the venous CO2 may fall below the value obtained for the arterial blood. Soon, however, the metabolic CO2 is sufficient to supply the BHCOa for the juice and to increase the venous CO2 above the resting level, indicating that the principal source of CO2 in the juice is from the metabolism of the gland. The av. resting R.Q. of the gland was 0.79 (a figure probably too high because it is difficult to study the gland under conditions of absolute rest). The av. R.Q. of work (extra R.Q.) was 1.05. Whether or not carbohydrate is the source of energy during activity in the pancreas is an open question.