Abstract
Experimental porcine pancreatitis was induced by the injection of taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. Recombinant human pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (25 mg) was administered to each animal in one of three different ways: into the pancreatic duct (n = 5), into the abdominal cavity adjacent to the pancreas (n = 2) or intravenously (n = 2). The intrapancreatic turnover was assessed during 6 h using a microdialysis technique. The intraglandular concentration, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was highest after injection of rhPSTI into the pancreatic duct and substantially lower after intravenous and intraperitoneal administration. The intrapancreatic half-life of the inhibitor after intraductal administration was considerably longer (3-6 times) in pigs with pancreatitis than has previously been found in the normal gland. These facts argue in favour of the intraductal administration route in future trials of antiprotease treatment in acute pancreatitis.