Role of vagal innervation on pancreatic secretion

Pancreatic juice secretion after a meal was studied after selective gastric or total abdominal vagotomy. After selective vagotomy, the volume of pancreatic juice and enzyme output are similar to the controls' during the first 30 minutes after the meal. Between 30 and 120 minutes, volume, bicarbonate, and enzyme outputs are significantly lower than in controls. After total vagotomy the volume and enzyme outputs are already lower than in controls during the first half hour and remain low afterwards. The authors conclude that the early output of pancreatic enzymes is under vagal control, whereas later the hormonal effect is more important. © 1968.SCOPUS: ar.j