The effect of vagal stimulation on the release of cholecystokinin in anaesthetized pigs

The effect of electrical vagal stimulation on the release of cholecystokinin (CCK) was studied in nine anaesthetized pigs. Plasma CCK concentrations were measured radioimmunologically by means of an antiserum specific for the sulphated tyrosine region of CCK. Stimulation of both vagal nerves for 10 min induced an increase in CCK concentrations from 1.9 +/- 0.4 pmol/l to a peak value of 3.6 +/- 0.4 pmol/l in portal vein plasma and from 1.5 +/- 0.3 to 2.7 +/- 0.4 pmol/l in arterial plasma. Mean integrated increments during stimulation were 12.0 +/- 2.5 pmol/l/10 min (p less than 0.01) and 8.3 +/- 1.0 pmol/l/10 min (p less than 0.001), respectively. The results suggest a vagal innervation of the CCK cell in the upper small intestine.