This article reviews studies on the adaptation of the exocrine pancreas to
dietary fat. We include all the latest information about the mechanisms tha
t underlie the adaptation of the secretory mechanism of the exocrine pancre
as to the amount and the type of dietary fat. We review the kinetics of pan
creatic adaptation and the mediators of the adaptive response of the pancre
as including cellular and molecular mechanisms (modulation of intracellular
messengers and gene expression of the different enzymes and secretagogues
involved in the adaptation process). At: the same time we include our resul
ts in this field in dogs and humans.