GASTRIC LIPASE SECRETION AFTER SHAM-FEEDING AND CHOLINERGIC BLOCKADE

Our purpose was to examine gastric lipase secretion after cephalic sti mulation (sham feeding) and to examine the effect of cholinergic block ade. Eight healthy volunteers, four women and four men, age 21-58 year s, were studied twice on separate days. They were sham fed with and wi thout infusion of atropine. Gastric content was measured and the amoun t as well as the activity of gastric lipase output were determined. Pl asma concentrations of gastrin, secretin, and cholecystokinin (CCK) we re measured simultaneously by radioimmunoassays. Cephalic stimuli can evoke human gastric lipase secretion, and this effect was almost ablat ed by atropine blockade of cholinergic receptors. The concentrations o f CCK and secretin in plasma were unaffected by sham feeding with or w ithout atropine blockade, whereas gastrin was stimulated by sham feedi ng after atropine blockade, Gastric lipase secretion in man is apparen tly controlled by interacting vagal and hormonal mechanisms.