ABSTRACT
Peptide.............................................................................................. 124 6.26 Serotonin (5-HT).............................................................................. 126 6.27 Endocrine-Exocrine Axis of the Pancreas..................................... 128 6.28 Feedback Regulation of Pancreatic Exocrine Secretion................ 128 6.29 Effects of Toxic Agents to the Exocrine Pancreas ........................ 133 References .................................................................................................. 135
The exocrine pancreas consists of the ducts and acini with the former secreting water and electrolytes and the latter secreting enzymes. The bicarbonate-and enzyme-rich pancreatic juice enters the duodenum to neutralize gastric acid and digest food chyme emptied from the stomach. Until the end of the 19th century, pancreatic exocrine secretion (PES) was thought to be regulated by the vagus nerve and acid in the duodenum. The role of the vagus was advocated by Pavlov’s group who considered that “the vagus is the secretory nerve of the pancreas.”
