Korean J Physiol Pharmacol.  1999 Aug;3(4):427-432.

Distribution, content and molecular heterogeneity of gastrin-releasing peptide in rat pancreas

• Park HS
• Park HJ

Abstract

Although importance of intrapancreatic neurons containing gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) in control of exocrine secretion has been raised, the nature of GRP in the pancreas is unclear Thus, the present study was undertaken to see distribution, content and molecular heterogeneity of immunoreactive GRP in the rat pancreas Content of immunoreactive GRP in the rat pancreas was 2 99 +/- 0.66 ng/g wet tissues determined by radioimmunoassay. Immunoreactive GRP was most abundantly expressed in the duodenal part among 3 parts of the pancreas, duodenal, body and splenic part. Vagotomy failed to change the content of immunoreactive GRP in the pancreas. Three distinct forms of immunoreactive GRP, very identical to GRP-27, bombesin-24 and neuromedin C, were observed in the rat pancreas by using reversed phase C18 HPLC and Sephadex G-50 superfine column chromatography. Cell bodies of neurons containing immunoreactive GRP were scattered in pancreatic connective tissues and their nerve fibers innerv ated pancreatic acini and large ducts as determined by immunohistochemistry. The present
results
suggest that three distinct forms of GRP exist in intrapancreatic GRPergic neurons, which exert a stimulatory role in pancreatic exocrine secretion in rats.

Keyword

Intrapancreatic neuron; Peptidergic neuron; GRPergic neurons; GRP antibody; Pancreatic exocrine secretion

MeSH Terms

Animals
Chromatography
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Connective Tissue
Gastrin-Releasing Peptide*
Immunohistochemistry
Nerve Fibers
Neurons
Pancreas*
Population Characteristics*
Radioimmunoassay
Rats*
Vagotomy
Gastrin-Releasing Peptide