Effect of tetramethylpyrazine on exocrine pancreatic and bile secretion

World J Gastroenterol. 2003 Nov;9(11):2505-8. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i11.2505.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine (ligustrazine, TMP) on the secretion of exocrine pancreas (and biliary).

Methods: In in vivo study, we investigated the effect of TMP on the secretion of pancreatic-bile juice (PBJ) in rats. Using human pancreatic duct cell line, CAPAN-1, combined with the short-circuit current (ISC) technique we further studied the effect of TMP on the pancreatic anion secretion.

Results: Administration of TMP (80 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased the secretion of PBJ (P<0.05), but the pH of PBJ and the secretion of pancreatic protein were not significantly affected. Basolateral addition of TMP produced a dose-dependent increase in ISC (EC50=1.56 mmol/L), which contained a fast transient ISC response followed by a slow decay. Apical application of Cl- channel blockers, DPC (1 mmol/L), decreased the response by about 67.1% (P<0.001), whereas amiloride (100 micromol/L), a epithelial sodium channel blockers, had no effect. Removal of extracellular HCO3- abolished TMP-induced increase in ISC by about 74.4% (P<0.001), but the removal of external Cl- did not. Pretreatment with phosphodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX(0.5 mmol/L), decreased the TMP-induced ISC by 91% (P<0.001).

Conclusion: TMP could stimulate the secretion of PBJ, especially pancreatic ductal HCO3- secretion via cAMP or cGMP-dependent pathway. It need further study to investigate the roles of cAMP or cGMP in the effect of TMP on the secretion of exocrine pancreas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Male
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Pancreatic Ducts / cytology
  • Pancreatic Ducts / drug effects
  • Pancreatic Ducts / metabolism*
  • Pancreatic Juice / metabolism
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Pyrazines / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Pyrazines
  • tetramethylpyrazine