Abstract
The effect of duodenal instillation of hydrochloric acid on peripheral plasma immunoreactive secretin (IRS) concentration—without or with a constant intravenous infusion of atropine—was studied in eight healthy volunteers. Without atropine infusion, IRS increased from 1.2 ± 0.3 pmol/l to a peak value of 17.1 ± 4.4 pmol/l. The volume of duodenal aspirates increased from 0.74 ± 0.12 ml/min to 5.03 ± 0.46 ml/min, and the bicarbonate output from 7.6 ± 1.7 μmol/min to 349 ± 39 μmol/min. With atropine infusion (bolus of 500 μg + 750 μg/h of atropine sulphate), IRS increased from 1.4 ± 0.3 pmol/l to 14.8 ± 3.6 pmol/l. The volume of the duodenal aspirates increased from 0.71 ± 0.08 ml/min to 2.76 ± 0.37 ml/min and the bicarbonate output from 4.0 ± 1.6 μmol/min to 142 ± 33 μmol/min. The integrated IRS response to acidification was 18% lower during atropine infusion (p < 0.05). Both the aspirated flow rate from the duodenum and the bicarbonate output were markedly reduced by atropine infusion, 45% and 59%, respectively (p < 0.005).