Association of cholecystectomy with pancreatic growth and increased plasma levels of cholecystokinin in the Syrian golden hamster.

This study examined the effect of cholecystectomy on plasma concentrations of cholecystokinin (CCK) and pancreatic growth. Seventy female Syrian golden hamsters were used in the investigation. Half the animals underwent cholecystectomy and half had a sham procedure. Following cholecystectomy, significant increases were observed in pancreatic weight (11-41%), total DNA content (8-16%), total protein content (9-19%), DNA synthesis rate (57-200%), and in random plasma CCK concentrations (12-81%) in comparison to the control group. There was no significant change in protein synthesis rate. We conclude that cholecystectomy may have a significant trophic effect on the pancreas and that this effect may be mediated by an increase in circulating levels of CCK.