devazepide and Hypertrophy

A8947 is a member of the sulfonyl urea class of compounds and is the active ingredient in a commercial broad leaf herbicide. This compound has been shown to produce pancreatic hypertrophy in rats, mice, and dogs. The objectives of this study were to investigate the mechanism(s) for the A8947 induction of pancreatic acinar cell hypertrophy and proliferation and to evaluate whether these pancreatic changes are reversible. A8947 was fed to male Crl:CD BR rats for up to 28 days (0, 300, 10,000, 30,000 ppm) or 56 days (0, 30,000 ppm). Rats were terminated on Test Days 7, 14, and 28 to assess the time course and dose response for the A8947-induced pancreatic changes, while rats terminated on Test Day 56 were used to assesss the reversibility of the pancreas effects at 30,000 ppm A8947. A8947 produced significant increases in pancreatic weight and acinar cell proliferation and diffuse acinar cell hypertrophy in 7 days at 10,000 and 30,000 ppm dose levels. By Day 14, absolute pancreas weights in the 10,000 and 30,000 ppm groups were maximally increased and remained at these levels throughout the study. In contrast, acinar cell proliferation in the 30,000 ppm group was still elevated at Test Day 14, but attenuated relative to the 7-day response, and returned to control levels by Test Day 28. No effects were observed at 300 ppm after a 28-day exposure period, while complete reversibility of A8947-induced pancreatic effects was demonstrated at 30,000 ppm following a 1-month recovery period (Test Day 56). Cholecystokinin (CCK) levels were increased by A8947 and closely followed the time course for pancreatic changes. MK-329, a specific CCKA receptor antagonist, completely ablated the ability of 30,000 ppm A8947 to increase pancreas weight following 7 days of exposure. A8947 did not bind the CCKA receptor in a receptor competition assay, negating any potential agonist mechanism. A8947 did, however, inhibit trypsin in vitro, suggesting a mechanism of action similar to that of raw soy protein, in which trypsin inhibition in vivo results in increased CCK levels followed by pancreatic acinar cell hypertrophy and proliferation.

Topics: Animals; Benzodiazepinones; Cholecystokinin; Devazepide; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Herbicides; Hypertrophy; Male; Pancreas; Pyrimidines; Rats; Receptor, Cholecystokinin A; Receptors, Cholecystokinin; Trypsin Inhibitors

1 Raw soya flour (RSF) in the diet induces pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the rat, changes ascribed to production of a high circulating level of cholecystokinin (CCK) due to inhibition of trypsin in the duodenum. Prolonged ingestion results in pancreatic adenomas and carcinomas. 2 L-364, 718, a potent, highly specific CCK antagonist was used to investigate the short-term role of CCK. 3 In rats fed 50% RSF and L-364, 718 5 mg kg-1 p.o. twice daily for 4 d, there was inhibition of pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia, which is further evidence that peripherally-acting CCK plays a major role in the generation of RSF-mediated changes in the pancreas.

Topics: Animals; Benzodiazepinones; Cholecystokinin; Devazepide; Glycine max; Hyperplasia; Hypertrophy; Male; Mitosis; Organ Size; Pancreas; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Cholecystokinin

This study was an investigation of the role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the stimulatory action of cholestyramine on rat exocrine pancreas. Postprandial CCK release was significantly enhanced by acute administration of cholestyramine (12.7 +/- 1.8 vs 3.7 +/- 0.5 pmol/L in controls). Over four weeks, rats were fed either regular diet or diet containing 6% cholestyramine, and were treated with the specific CCK receptor antagonist L-364,718 (2 x 0.5 mg/kg body weight/day s.c.) or DMSO (vehicle for the antagonist). Cholestyramine significantly increased pancreatic weight and trypsin and chymotrypsin contents. L-364,718 abolished these effects. Concomitant administration of antagonist and cholestyramine elevated amylase content, compared to controls. CCK levels in fasted animals did not differ between the four groups. The effect of the same dose of L-364,718 on pancreatic enzyme depletion, induced by the protease inhibitor camostate, was studied in a control experiment. A single dose of camostate (200 mg/kg) caused a 44-68% decrease in enzyme content. L-364,718 reversed this effect for all enzymes. We conclude that CCK is the mediator of cholestyramine-induced pancreatic hypertrophy and increase in content of proteases. After long-term administration, the CCK receptor antagonist, in combination with cholestyramine revealed an agonistic effect on individual, pancreatic enzyme content.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Benzodiazepinones; Cholecystokinin; Cholestyramine Resin; Chymotrypsin; Devazepide; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; DNA; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Esters; Gabexate; Guanidines; Hypertrophy; Male; Organ Size; Pancreas; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Cholecystokinin; Time Factors; Trypsin; Trypsin Inhibitors

Pancreaticobiliary diversion (PBD) caused a more than twofold increase in pancreatic weight after 10 days, with no further increase after 15 or 20 days or 7 weeks. Although the weight gain after PBD to a minor extent (10%) reflected increased water content, the main cause was hypertrophy and hyperplasia with increased pancreatic protein and DNA content. The cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations in plasma were increased 10-fold from the 5th postoperative day. The trophic effects on the pancreas were completely abolished by the CCK antagonist L-364,718. Further, the antagonist caused a significant reduction in pancreatic weight, protein, and DNA in otherwise untreated controls. We conclude that PBD in rats induces trophic effects on the pancreas by increasing circulating CCK concentrations and that CCK is important for normal pancreatic growth.

Topics: Anastomosis, Surgical; Animals; Benzodiazepinones; Cholecystokinin; Devazepide; Hyperplasia; Hypertrophy; Ileum; Male; Organ Size; Pancreas; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

Since endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) is released after oral administration of camostate, it has been suggested that camostate-induced pancreatic growth is mediated via circulating CCK. To test this concept, we investigated the effects of three potentially inhibitory substances on rat pancreatic hypertrophy caused by feeding of camostate over 2 weeks: (1) L-364,718, the novel specific highly potent nonpeptide CCK receptor antagonist, (2) octreotide (SMS 201-995), a potent long-lasting somatostatin analogue and (3) pancreastatin (33-49), the biologically active C-terminal fragment of the novel gastrointestinal peptide pancreastatin. Camostate feeding (200 mg/kg) once daily for 14 days induced a significant increase in pancreatic weight, total protein, trypsinogen and polyamine levels, whereas total amylase content was substantially diminished. Simultaneous oral or subcutaneous treatment with L-364,718 (0.3 mg/kg twice daily) completely suppressed all trophic effects of camostate. Octreotide (25 micrograms/kg twice daily s.c.) and pancreastatin (33-49) (10 micrograms/kg twice daily s.c.) did not change any trophic parameter. In case of octreotide it could be shown that two daily injections only partially suppressed elevated CCK levels. Pancreatic DNA and putrescine levels were slightly reduced in rats receiving the CCK antagonist alone. These results demonstrate that camostate-induced pancreatic hypertrophy in rats is caused by the release of endogenous CCK which may contribute to the maintenance of normal pancreatic DNA and putrescine concentrations.

Topics: Animals; Benzodiazepinones; Cholecystokinin; Chromogranin A; Devazepide; Esters; Gabexate; Guanidines; Hypertrophy; Male; Octreotide; Pancreas; Pancreatic Hormones; Protease Inhibitors; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

Chronic feeding of rats with camostate results in pancreatic hypertrophy or hyperplasia, or both. Previous studies suggest that this effect of camostate occurs via an increase in endogenous cholecystokinin due to an enteral feedback mechanism involving the inhibition of trypsin in the duodenum. Studies employing proglumide, a weak and relatively nonspecific cholecystokinin antagonist, have failed to fully abolish camostate-induced pancreas growth. We examined the effects of L-364,718, a new and highly potent cholecystokinin receptor antagonist, on camostate-induced pancreas growth in rats. The pancreas weights and the concentrations of ribonucleic acid, protein, and chymotrypsinogen in the pancreas of rats treated with camostate alone were significantly elevated over those of controls. These effects of camostate were completely abolished in rats treated with camostate + L-364,718. The pancreas weights and the concentrations of deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid in the pancreas of rats treated with L-364,718 alone were significantly lower than values in control rats. These data indicate that camostate-induced pancreas growth in rats appears to be dependent on the actions of endogenous cholecystokinin and that cholecystokinin may play a role in the maintenance of pancreatic growth in normal rats.

Topics: Animals; Benzodiazepinones; Cholecystokinin; Devazepide; Esters; Gabexate; Guanidines; Hypertrophy; Male; Organ Size; Pancreas; Protease Inhibitors; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains