ALPHA-AMYLASE ACTIVITY VARIATIONS IN THE PARIETAL AND INTRALUMINAL CONTENTS OF THE DIGESTIVE-TRACT IN CONTROL AND PANCREATIC DUCT LIGATED RABBITS

α-amylase activity (E.C.3.2.1.1) was studied in the parietal and intraluminal contents of different parts of the digestive tract in control (T) and pancreatic duct ligated rabbits (P-). Maximal activity at the parietal level in control rabbits was observed in the median part of the duodenum (392 ±37μM/maltose/g/min at 37°C). Weak activity (3% of the duodenal activity) was seen in other parts of the small and large bowel. Variations in α-amylase activity were noted in the post-ligature period in rabbits. This activity declined by 38% 2 weeks after ligature; normal values reappeared 6 weeks later, and 10 weeks after the operation the values were 40% higher than those of control rabbits. Maximal intraluminal content activity was observed in the jejunum and ileum of T rabbits (182±26 and 92 ± 6 μM/maltose/g/min at 37°C). The large bowel showed only 5% of the jejunal activity. In P-rabbits, α-amylase activity progressively increased only in the large bowel from 2 and 6 weeks (x3) to 10 weeks (x6). Suppression of pancreatic digestion was followed by a compensative process. Hyperplasia and hypertrophy of Brunner's glands could explain the rise in α-amylase activity at the duodenal level. The elevation observed in intraluminal contents was certainly of bacterial origin.