Histochemical distribution of carbonic anhydrase after ligation of the pancreatic duct.

The distribution of carbonic anhydrase in the exocrine pancreas of the rat has been examined during the first 3 weeks after duct ligation. The normal pattern of positive reaction in ducts, centroacinar cells and capillaries changed, by the end of the first week, to one in which all the cells in the dilated ducts showed the enzyme. This situation persisted through the third week. By electron microscopy, the enzyme was found on the apical membranes of ductular, centroacinar and acinar cells, as well as on the surface membranes of the modified cells seen at 1 week. The significance of these findings with respect to function and cell origin is discussed.