Cyclic AMP in secretin choleresis. Evidence for a regulatory role in man and baboons but not in dogs.

Cyclic AMP output in the bile in response to intravenous secretin was measured in 11 patients, 12 baboons, and 15 dogs. Secretin was given to patients with bile drainage tubes as an intravenous bolus (1 U per kg). In baboons and dogs both secretin infusion (4 U per kg per hr) and bolus injection (1 U per kg) were used. In baboons cyclic AMP was also determined in liver, extrahepatic duct tissue, and in perfusate from isolated segments of extrahepatic bile ducts. Secretin induced a marked choleresis in all three species. In humans, biliary cyclic AMP concentration increased an average (+/- 1 SE) of 68% +/- 12% and in baboons 4-fold, but no increase occurred in dogs. In baboons, cyclic AMP concentration increased in both bile duct tissue and perfusate from isolated bile ducts concomitant with secretin choleresis, but not in liver. In humans the choleretic effects of sodium dehydrocholate, aminophylline, and glucagon were compared to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcyclic AMP). All agents increased bile flow 2- to 3-fold. Cyclic AMP concentration in bile markedly increased after glucagon and DBcyclic AMP but not after sodium dehydrocholate and aminophylline. We conclude that cyclic AMP is implicated in secretin choleresis in both humans and baboons, but not in dogs. The bile duct appears to be the site of cyclic AMP elaboration induced by secretin in baboons and probably is also in man.