Abstract
Objective. Active site-inhibited factor VII (fVIIai) has previously been reported to reduce remote organ inflammation during acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the anti-inflammatory properties of fVIIai in remote organs are mediated through nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Material and methods. Acute pancreatitis in the rat was induced using retrograde intraductal infusion of sodium taurodeoxycholate. Upregulation of NF-κB activity was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. An increase in NF-κB activity could be seen in the lungs, which was reduced to normal levels at both 1 and 6 h following pretreatment with fVIIai. In the liver, the greatest treatment effects were seen at 1 h, but were still notable at 6 h. In the ileum, treatment effects were seen only at 6 h. Simultaneous fVIIai and N-acetylcysteine treatment ameliorated many of the treatment effects of fVIIai. In the pancreas, no differences could be seen. Conclusion. fVII inhibition reduces NF-κB activation in remote organs during experimental acute pancreatitis.