Mechanism of action of pancreatic stimuli studied by means of atropinelike drugs

The anticholinergic drugs isopropamid iodide (Darbid) and propantheline bromide (Probanthine) were found to decrease the volume, amylase and lipase concentration, and enzyme output in dog's pancreatic juice secreted in response to various stimuli. The volume response to intravenous secretin was affected less than the response to HCl and soap solution in the intestine. This was taken to indicate that the latter two stimuli utilize cholinergic mechanisms not involved in the response to secretin. The volume response to peptone was depressed moderately by the drugs, the enzyme concentration somewhat more. Usually the volume response was depressed proportionately more than the enzyme concentration but always less than the enzyme output.