The effect of pancreatic enzymes (Viokase) on the gastric hypersecretion induced by pancreatic ductal ligation was studied in seven dogs with Heidenhain pouches. The pancreatic ducts were completely ligated after base-line determinations of the daily output of acid and secretory response of the pouches to histamine and tests of hepatic function. The influence on these tests of the preligation control diet and the following experimental diets was studied after the pancreatic duct ligation in varying sequence for 5–47 days: 1) control diet incubated with Viokase; 2) control diet mixed but not incubated with Viokase; 3) control diet incubated with heat-inactivated Viokase. Complete ligation of the pancreatic ducts was followed by marked gastric hypersecretion while the dogs were fed the control diet. Both the diet incubated with Viokase and the diet mixed with Viokase and then allowed to stand for 1–3 hr before feeding caused significant reduction of such hypersecretion. Evidence of hepatocellular damage was found after pancreatic ductal obstruction when active pancreatic enzymes were not added to the control diet.
