Reduction of pancreatic enzyme content and mortality in experimental acute pancreatitis in rats.

A previous report has shown that undernutrition reduces the mortality of acute experimental pancreatitis probably by decreasing pancreatic enzyme content. Cerulein in physiological doses reduces the enzyme content of the pancreas without any harmful effect on the organ. The aim of the present study was to asses the effect of acute reduction of pancreatic enzyme content on the outcome of acute pancreatitis. Two groups of male Wistar rats weighing 230-250 g were studied: group I, 12-h fasted animals, and group II, ad libitum-fed animals who received cerulein at the inframaximal dose (0.2 microgram kg-1 h-1) for 2 h. Cerulein administration resulted in the reduction of the pancreatic contents of chymotrypsinogen (71%), trypsinogen (55%), proelastase (60%), amylase (62%) and cathepsin B (45%) (P < 0.05). However, no significant reduction in pancreatic phospholipase content was observed. Acute pancreatitis was induced in group I after 12-h fasting and in group II at the end of cerulein infusion by retrograde injection o 0.5 ml of 2.5% Na+ taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. Ascites volume and the degree of histologically observed lesions were similar in both groups, but 72-h mortality was 56% in the control group (10/ 18) and 23% (5/22) in the cerulein group (P < 0.05). We speculate that the reduction of pancreatic enzyme content may exert its beneficial effect in acute pancreatitis by decreasing the quantity of pancreatic enzymes reaching the circulation and consequently their pathogenic effects.

Reduction of pancreatic enzyme content and mortality in experimental acute pancreatitis in rats

A previous report has shwon that undernutrition reduces the mortality of acute experimental pancreatitis probably by decreasing pancreatic enzyme content of the pancreas without any harmful effect on the organ. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of acute reduction of pancreatic enzyme content on the outcome of acute pancreatitis. Two groups of males Wistar rats weighing 230-250 g were studied: group I, 12-h fasted animals, and group II, add libitum-fed animals who received cerulein at the inframaximal dose (0.2 µg kg-1h-1) for 2 h. Cerulein adminsitration resulted in the reduction of the pancreatic contents of chymotrypsinogen (71 percent), trypsinogen (55 percent), proelastase (60 percent), amylase (62 percent) and cathepsin B (45 percent) (P<0.05). However, no significant reduction in pancreatic phospholipase content was observed. Acute pancreatitis wass induced in group I after 12-h fasting and in group II at the end of cerulein infusion by retrograde injection of 0.5 ml of 2.5 percent Na+ taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. Ascites volume and the degree of histologically observed lesions were similar in both groups, but 72-h mortality was 56 percent in the control group (10/18) and 23 percent (5/22) in the cerulein group (P<0.05). We speculate that the reduction of pancreatic enzyme content may exert its beneficial effect in acute pancreatitis by decreasing the quantity of pancreatic enzymes reaching the circulation and consequently their pathogenic effects

Effect of PAF antagonists on cerulein-induced pancreatitis.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the involvement of PAF in acute pancreatitis induced by cerulein in rats. Cerulein (two doses of 20 micrograms/rat, the first s.c. and the second i.v., 1 h apart) induced a significant increase in vascular permeability in the pancreas, evaluated by the Evans blue (EB) extravasation method. Plasma amylase levels were also significantly increased in this group. The PAF antagonists, BN-52021 (5 mg/kg) and WEB-2170 (1 and 10 mg/kg), both significantly reduced the extravasation of EB in the pancrease induced by i.v. injection of PAF (1 microgram/kg). At these concentrations, BN-52021 was effective at inhibiting cerulein-induced pancreatitis (60-70% of inhibition) whereas WEB-2170 had no significant effect. Although the inhibition induced by BN-52021 suggests the involvement of PAF in cerulein-pancreatitis, the lack of effect of WEB-2170 reported here does not allow a definite conclusion. Further studies are needed to elucidate the differential effect of the PAF antagonists.

[Protective effect of pancreatic enzyme depletion in the course of acute pancreatitis--experimental study in rats]. / Efeito protetor da depleção de enzimas pancreáticas na evolução da pancreatite aguda--estudo experimental em ratos.

This study was performed to assess the effects of the reduction of pancreatic enzymatic content in the evolution of acute pancreatitis (A.P.) in rats. We hypothesized that cerulein in physiologic dose reduces the enzymatic content of the pancreas and may decrease the mortality of A.P.. Four groups of rats have been studied. In the group I cerulein in a total dose of 8 ug/Kg was given, Group II was a control group, Group III received cerulein in inframaximal dose (0.4 micrograms/Kg) and Group IV was a control group with free access to diet and water. Acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde injection of taurocholic acid into the pancreatic duct. The mortality was 60% in group I, 56% in group II, 23% in group III and 34% in group IV. These results suggest that by decreasing enzymatic content of the pancreas the severity of acute pancreatitis may be reduced.