[Similarities and differences in the behavior of pancreatic polypeptide, gastrin, and motilin in dog blood plasma during the development of pancreatic atrophy].

One-hour postprandial responses of plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide, gastrin and motilin were measured in 4 dogs during 31 months of pancreatic atrophy development, produced by obstructing their pancreatic juice flow. Basal pancreatic polypeptide and gastrin concentrations decreased, while motilin concentration did not. During this period the animals displayed a significant postprandial response. These findings suggest that hormonal mechanisms involved in the digestive process are maintained in the period of the sharp disturbance of the pancreatic exocrine function.