The effect of acute ethanol administration on the exocrine pancreatic secretion of the pig

The acute effect of intravenous and intragastric alcohol on exocrine pancreatic secretion was studied in pigs with chronic pancreatic and gastric fistulas. A new H‐type pancreatic cannula was designed for the study. With intravenous alcohol and the gastric fistula open, increased gastric acid secretion occurred but pancreatic enzyme output was inhibited. When acid was allowed to enter the duodenum by closing the gastric fistula, intravenous alcohol produced a secretin‐like effect of increased pancreatic volume and bicarbonate secretion. Intragastric alcohol caused an increase in volume, bicarbonate and enzyme output. This was probably due initially to direct gastroduodenal stimulation as the same response occurred following intragastric mannitol of similar volume, pH and osmolality. The subsequently sustained increase in volume and bicarbonate was possibly a secondary secretin‐like response following absorption of alcohol. It is concluded that the pig pancreas responds to alcohol as has been described in other animals. The use of a single model has allowed clarification of various phases of response invoking the effects of secretin, gastric and glucagon.