Published online Sep 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i17.2553
Revised: February 25, 2004
Accepted: March 2, 2004
Published online: September 1, 2004
AIM: Microcirculatory disturbances are important early pathophysiological events in various organs during acute pancreatitis. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in microperfusion of the pancreas, liver, kidney, stomach, colon, skeletal muscle, and to investigate the influence of heparin on the organ microcirculation in caerulein-induced experimental acute pancreatitis.
METHODS: Acute pancreatitis was induced by 4 intraperitoneal injections of caerulein (Cn) (15 μg/kg). The organ microcirculation was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. Serum interleukin 6 and hematocrit levels were analysed.
RESULTS: Acute pancreatitis resulted in a significant drop of microperfusion in all examined organs. Heparin administration (2 ± 2.5 mg/kg) improved the microcirculation in pancreas (36.9% ± 4% vs 75.9% ± 10%), liver (56.6% ± 6% vs 75.2% ± 16%), kidney (45.1% ± 6% vs 79.3% ± 5%), stomach (65.2% ± 8% vs 78.1% ± 19%), colon (69.8% ± 6% vs 102.5% ± 19%), and skeletal muscle (59.2% ± 6% vs 77.9% ± 13%). Heparin treatment lowered IL-6 (359.0 ± 66 U/mL vs 288.558 U/mL) and hematocrit level (53% ± 4% vs 46% ± 3%).
CONCLUSION: Heparin administration has a positive influence on organ microcirculatory disturbances accompanying experimental Cn-induced acute pancreatitis.