Pancreatic endocrine response to obstructive jaundice was examined in terms of serum insülin, C-peptide, glucagon and somastostatin levels in common bile duct and common bile duct plus pancreatic duct ligated rats for two and three weeks, respoctively. Serum insulin and C-peptide levels were influenced significantly when pancreatic duct ligation was coupled with common bile duct ligation. On the other hand, significant increase in serum glucagon and somatostatin levels were noted with prolonged (three weeks) obstruction of either the common bile duct alone, or in combination with the pancreatic duct. Apart from a significant decrease in C-peptide levels at two weeks of common bile duct plus pancreatic duct obstruction, pancreatic endocrine response was more prominent in groups subjected to three weeks of obstruction. It is suggested that, the pancreatic endocrine response to obstructive jaundice is time related and is aimed at compensating the severity of biliary obstruction.

Keywords:

OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE, PANCREAS, BILIARY OBSTRUCTION, INSULIN GLUCAGON, C-PEPTIDE, SOMATOSTATIN