Increased expression of cholecystokinin-a receptor mRNA in pancreas and cholecystokinin-B receptor mRNA in oxyntic mucosa after porta-caval shunting in rats

Porta-caval shunting enhances the trophic effects of cholecystokinin (CCK)-A receptor activation on the pancreas and of CCK-B receptor activation on the ECL cells in the oxyntic mucosa of the rat. The aim of the present study was to study the expression of CCK-A and CCK-B receptor mRNA after porta-caval shunting. Different doses of sulfated CCK-8 (CCK-8s) were administered to porta-caval shunting rats and sham-operated rats, 4 weeks after the operations. The pancreatic wet weight and DNA content were measured and the ECL cells in the oxyntic mucosa were counted after four days of continuous subcutaneous infusion. Total RNA was isolated from pancreas and oxyntic mucosa for Northern blot analysis of CCK-A and CCK-B receptor mRNA. Porta-caval shunting per se did not affect plasma CCK level nor the weight or DNA content of the pancreas, but resulted in increased number of ECL cells despite the fact that the serum gastrin concentration was reduced. The trophic response of the pancreas to low doses of CCK-8s was greater in portacaval shunted rats than in sham-operated rats. Porta-caval shunted rats displayed an increased CCK-A receptor mRNA concentration in the pancreas (after stimulation with CCK-8s) and an increased CCK-B receptor mRNA concentration in the oxyntic mucosa. In conclusion, the porta-caval shunting-evoked enhancement of the trophic effect of CCK-A receptor activation on the pancreas and of CCK-B receptor activation on the ECL cells is associated with enhanced expression of CCK-A receptor mRNA in the pancreas and of CCK-B receptor mRNA in the oxyntic mucosa.