[Intravenously stimulated insulin reserve of the pancreas following experimental pancreatic duct ligation in the swine--studies 2, 4 and about 60 days following ligation].

After pancreatic duct ligation (PDL) intravenous glucose tolerance tests (i.v. GTT) were performed in 12 pigs. The release of insulin and the corresponding blood sugar levels were controlled, the pancreata were examined histologically and immunohistochemically. In spite of a reduced number of beta-cells no reduction of glucose tolerance could be shown 60 days after PDL. Two days after the i.v. GTT showed an increased release of insulin corresponding with lowered blood sugar levels. This phenomenon is explained as a stimulated state of the beta-cell in the phase of interstitial edema.