The influence of potato fibre on exocrine pancreatic secretions and on plasma levels of insulin, secretin and cholecystokinin in growing pigs

The effect of a potato fibre preparation on exocrine pancreatic secretions and on gastrointestinal hormone levels in plasma was studied in three 8 wee ks old piglets that were surgically fitted with a jugular vein catheter for blood sampling, a pancreatic duct catheter and a T-shaped duodenal cannula for collection of pancreatic juice. The animals were fed for 2 weeks a con trol diet (experimental period 1), thereafter for 2 weeks the control diet supplemented with 2% potato fibre (experimental period 2) and for another 2 weeks the control diet again (experimental period 3). Additionally, intrad uodenal (i.d.) infusions of the experimental diet, the control diet and pot ato fibre as well as i.v. infusions of a solution containing cholecystokini n (CCK) and secretin were administered. Potato fibre in the diet evoked in tendency an increase in the volume of se cretion of pancreatic juice and a significant increase both in the mean val ues of the total protein content and total activities of lipase, trypsin an d a-amylase when compared to the control diet. The i.d. infusion of the con trol diet. experimental diet and fibre infusate as well as the i.v. adminis tration of the hormone infusate led to a spontaneous secretory response of the exocrine pancreas. Besides gastrointestinal hormones, such as CCK, othe r factors such as short chain fatty acids may be involved in the regulation of the exocrine pancreas.