Bombesin promotes pancreatic growth in suckling rats

The pancreatic growth promoting effect of long term administration of bombesin was investigated in suckling rats. The authors showed that bombesin given in 10 micrograms/kg b.wt doses s.c. every 8 h for 10 days from the day of parturition stimulated pancreatic growth: it increased pancreatic weight, protein and DNA content, trypsin and amylase activity and trypsin/DNA ratio. Conclusion: Bombesin is an effective stimulator of pancreatic growth in suckling rats.