Anion secretion by the isolated rabbit pancreas.

The isolated rabbit pancreas secretes a fluid containing chloride and bicarbonate in about equal concentrations. Replacement of bicarbonate by acetate, phosphate or isethionate, replacement of Na+ by Li+ and addition of ouabain to the bathing medium of the pancreas inhibit the secretion of fluid, chloride and bicarbonate in a similar fashion and by maximally 100%. Replacement of chloride by isethionate inhibits fluid secretion by maximally 50%, chloride secretion by 90% and bicarbonate secretion by 20%. It is concluded that fluid secretion is based on a Na+-gradient-dependent bicarbonate influx or proton efflux in the ductular cell, and that the secretion of chloride is secondary to that of bicarbonate.