RESUMO
Purpose: The pancreatic capillary blood flow (PCBF) was studied to determine its alterations during caerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats. Methods: Twenty rats were divided in groups: control and caerulein. A laser-Doppler flowmeter to measure PCBF continuously was used. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored. Serum biochemistry analyses were determined. Histopathological study was performed. Results: The PCBF measured a mean of 109.08 ± 14.54 percent and 68.24 ± 10.47 percent in control group and caerulein group, respectively. Caerulein group had a mean decrease of 31.75 ± 16.79 percent. The serum amylase was 1323.70 ± 239.l0U.I-1 and 2184.60 ± 700.46U.I-1 in control and caerulein groups, respectively. There was a significant difference in the PCBF (p<0.05) and serum amylase (p<0.05) when compared to control and caerulein groups. Although micro and microvacuolization were seen in 30 percent in caerulein group, no significant difference was seen between the groups. Conclusion: A decrease in the PCBF may be one of the leading events and it is present before histopathological tissue injury had been established in this model of acute pancreatitis.