Amylase and Lipase Secretion in the Hepatic and Intestinal Lymph:  II. Progressive Changes in Enzyme Levels Following Pancreatectomy

Many previous studies have shown that pancreatectomy fails to deplete blood of its amylase and lipase activity. The maintenance of blood amylase and lipase activity following removal of the pancreas in the dog and in man suggests that nonpancreatic sources of these enzymes contribute significantly to the maintenance of normal blood levels. In our previous series of experiments, acute pancreatectomy did not cause the immediate disappearance of amylase and lipase from the lymph or serum. To further investigate the long-term effect of pancreatectomy on these enzymes, the present series of experiments was designed, in which hepatic and intestinal lymphatics of previously pancreatectomized dogs were cannulated and amylase and lipase levels were measured in the lymph and serum.

Materials and Methods  Mongrel dogs of either sex, weighing 10 to 20 kg, were subjected to laparotomy under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia. Sterile technique was utilized. Control samples of peripheral venous blood were taken