Elimination of Basic Fuchsin and Other Dyes from the Pancreas

ABSTRACT

Twenty dyes which previously have been claimed to be excreted in pancreatic juice were reinvestigated to determine to what extent they could be eliminated through the pancreas. Exogenous secretin or cholecysto-kinin-pancreozymin(CCK-PZ) stimuli were used in dogs which had been given intravenous dye solutions at the rate of 1mg/min. In this experiment among the twenty dyes, only six were found to be eliminated through the pancreas. The intensity of dye color in pancreatic juice was estimated photometrically or macroscopically. The dye color intensity decreased as follows; basic fuchsin, acridine red, new fuchsin, rhodamin B, phenol red and rhodamin 6G. Basic fuchsin consistently appeared in CCK-PZ stimulated juice. However, it was seen in only a scant amount or not at all in juice stimulated by purified Vitrum (Sweden) secretin. Similar findings were observed in cats and conscious pigs. The content of basic fuchsin in pancreatic juice was more related to changes in the enzyme concentration than to other components. The chloride content of the juice was related to the amylase or basic fuchsin secretion. However, the chloride content was inversely related to the secreted volume. Vagal stimulation or the administration of parasympathomimetics produced a juice rich in enzyme content, but the dye response to vagal stimulation was weak. Usually the volume of secreted pancreatic juice following stimulation by Boots (England) secretin is greater than stimulated by purified Vitrum preparation. Basic fuchsin was slightly reduced during its elimination from pancreas or when present in alkaline pancreatic juice. Adding acid and formaldehyde revived the color. The acridine red and other pyronine dyes caused the juice to fluorescence. This effect lasted over 24 hours.