Enzyme spectrum of the pancreas in chronic stress

Abstract

The enzyme spectrum of pancreatic homogenate was studied in acute experiments on male albino rats during adaptation for 30 days to muscular exertion (forced swimming in water at a temperature of 32±1°C), heat (hyperthermia to 40–41°C), and cold (cooling to 3–4°C) for 3 h. The initial periods of adaptation to these factors (second-twelfth day) were shown to be characterized by a considerable decrease in activity of all the enzymes studied, but later, with adaptation of the animals to these factors, enzyme activity was restored to its original level (18th–24th day), and remained more or less constant until the end of the experiment (30th day). It is suggested that changes in the enzyme spectrum of the pancreas are brought about through the participation of the hypothalamo-hypophyseo-adrenal system in accordance with the principle of the general adaptation syndrome.