Influence of short- and long-term feeding of an alpha-amylase inhibitor (BAY e 4609) on the exocrine pancreas of the rat.

The effect of feeding an alpha-amylase inhibitor (BAY e 4609, 700 mg/100 g food) for 20 or 90 days on the enzymes of the exocrine pancreas of the rat was investigated. The amylase inhibitor-fed rats gained significantly less weight despite a higher food intake than control rats on a standard diet. Fecal weight increased threefold. Pancreatic wet weight, pancreatic DNA, protein and insulin concentrations were not influenced. The amylase content of the pancreas was significantly diminished compared with controls. The trypsin level increased and the changes in the amount of lipase were not significant. Also in response to an infusion of 15 or 60 IU CCK/kg/h combined with 0.5 clinical units of secretin/kg/h amylase secretion was significantly diminished after both feeding periods compared with controls, while trypsin output increased as did the output of lipase to a lesser extent. The enzyme pattern of the pancreatic juice reverted to normal when the animals consumed the control diet again. Gut weight and length increased significantly in the experimental animals. It is concluded that the changes in the pancreatic enzymes are induced by altered food intake. The amylase inhibitor prevents the digestion of starch and by this carbohydrate absorption. As a consequence, hyperphagia develops resulting in an increased protein and fat intake. Unlike trypsin a negative feedback regulation does not exist between alpha-amylase concentration in the gut and pancreatic enzyme secretion.