Adaptation of pancreatic amylase activity to enhanced parenteral carbohydrate intake in rats, and electron microscopic findings.
The present study records a rise of amylase activity in rat pancreatic tissue after a long-term administration of high carbohydrate diets (14% excess of glucose administered orally or subcutaneously as 30% glucose solution) in comparison to a normal diet. It was concluded that the pancreas obtains information on intestinal food composition along the humoral pathway. Electron microscopic investigations revealed no impairment of the acinar cells of the pancreas, but only changes that may be considered as a structural expression of the various phases of activity of the acinar cells.