![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Aims: The activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is crucial at an early stage in the development of an inflammatory reaction. A study of metabolic events globally and locally in the early phase of acute pancreatitis (AP), implying hampered SNS activity, is lacking.
We hypothesized that thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA) modulates the inflammatory response and alleviates the severity of AP in pigs.
Material and methods: The taurocholate (TC) group (n = 8) had only TC AP. The TC + TEA group (n = 8) had AP and TEA. A control group (n = 8) underwent all the preparations, without having AP or TEA. Metabolic changes in the pancreas were evaluated by microdialysis and by histopathological examination.
Results: The relative increase in serum lipase concentrations was more pronounced in the TC group than in TC + TEA and control groups. A decrease in relative tissue oxygen tension (PtiO2) levels occurred one hour later in the TC + TEA group than in the TC group. The maintenance of normoglycaemia in the TC group required a higher glucose infusion rate than in the TC + TEA group. The relative decrease in serum insulin concentrations was most pronounced in the TC + TEA group.
Conclusion: TEA attenuates the development of AP, as indicated by changes observed in haemodynamic parameters and by the easier maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Further, TEA was associated with attenuated insulin resistance and fewer local pathophysiological events.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Ola Winsö
Ola Winsö: providing animal laboratory facilities, data analysis and interpretation, writing and critical revision of article.
Josef Kral
Josef Kral: study design, carrying out experimental surgery, data analysis and interpretation, writing and critical revision of article.
Wanzhong Wang
Wanzhong Wang: slide preparation and histopathological examination.
Ivana Kralova
Ivana Kralova: study design, carrying out experimental surgery, data analysis and interpretation, writing and critical revision of article.
Pernilla Abrahamsson
Pernilla Abrahamsson: study design, carrying out experimental surgery, data collection, analysis and interpretation, writing and critical revision of article.
Göran Johansson
Göran Johansson: study design, carrying out experimental surgery, data collection, storage, analysis and interpretation, making figures and tables, critical revision of article.
Per-Jonas Blind
Per-Jonas Blind: study design, carrying out experimental surgery, data analysis and interpretation, writing and critical revision of article.