Chemical Composition of Fat Necrosis in Experimental Pancreatitis in the Rat

Abstract

Experimental acute pancreatitis was produced in rats by injection of sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic ducts. The intra-abdominal fat necroses produced were collected after 12 hours to 16 days for analysis of water content, free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides, calcium, inorganic phosphate, and carbonate. Calcium was also determined in the serum at these times. High concentrations of FFA were found in the necroses, whereas the control tissue contained for the most part triglycerides and only traces of FFA. Calcium contents were initially low but increased to a molar ratio of calcium/FFA of about 0.5 at about the second day. Thereafter somewhat higher ratios were found, together with increasing amounts of phosphate and some carbonate. Water content increased successively. The findings are compatible with an initial hydrolysis of triglycerides in the necrotic areas, followed by a calcium deposition during the first 1 to 2 days. This is also supported by the fact that serum calcium was decreased during this time. Thereafter small amounts of phosphates and carbonates were also formed and reparative processes started. Serum calcium then showed a rebound phenomenon with temporarily increased concentrations.

Key-words:

• Adipose tissue
• fat necrosis
• fatty acids
• lipase
• pancreatitis