Stimulated Protein Kinase Activity during Acute Pancreatitis in Rats:Possible Mediation by Proteolysis, Lipolysis, and Bile Salts

Abstract

The rate of protein phosphorylation, as catalyzed by the protein kinase enzymes, was measured in the pancreas of rats with acute experimental pancreatitis. Two different methods were used to induce pancreatitis in rats: retrograde injection of deoxycholate (DOC) into the pancreatic duct, or daily intravenous administration of DL-ethionine. Basal protein kinase activity was elevated in rats with acute experimental pancreatitis. This increase in activity was not dependent on free Ca²⁺ and did not result from elevated cAMP levels. To assess the possible role of digestive enzymes in protein kinase activation, tissue extracts from healthy controls were subjected to mild treatment with digestive enzymes and DOC. Trypsin, chymotrypsin, phospholipase A, and DOC produced protein kinase activation of a similar magnitude as found in diseased tissue. Results indicate that stimulated protein kinase activity in tissue of animals with acute pancreatitis may arise from the action of digestive enzymes.

Key Words:

• Digestive enzymes
• pancreatitis
• phosphorylation
• protein kinase activation