![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
Background: It has been hypothesized that microcirculatory disturbance plays an important role in the development of severe pancreatitis. In this study we investigated the effects of exogenous endothelin-1 on the development of severe pancreatitis in rats. Methods: Acute pancreatitis was induced by two intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (10 μg/kg body weight). Endothelin-1 was administered via an abdominal aortic catheter as a bolus of 250-750 pmol/kg BW every hour for 4 h. Results: Remarkable morphologic changes in the pancreas, including hemorrhage, and increases in serum amylase level and active elastase content in pancreatic tissue were observed in rats treated with cerulein plus endothelin-1 in a dose-dependent manner 5 h after the first cerulein injection. Local pancreatic blood flow decreased significantly, and microcirculatory disturbances in the pancreas were demonstrated. Conclusions: These results suggest that endothelin-1 causes pancreatic microcirculatory disturbance and might be a contributing factor in the aggravation of acute pancreatitis.