Clinical Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2002. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 15, 2002; 8(5): 933-936
Published online Oct 15, 2002. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v8.i5.933
Pancreatic microcirculatory impairment in experimental acute pancreatitis in rats
Zong-Guang Zhou, You-Dai Chen, Wei Sun, Zhong Chen
Zong-Guang Zhou, You-Dai Chen, Wei Sun, Zhong Chen, III Department of General Surgery (Gastroenteric Surgery), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.39770722, and by the key project of National Outstanding Young Foundation of China, No.39925032
Correspondence to: Professor. Zong-Guang Zhou, III Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. zhou767@21cn.com
Received: November 2, 2001
Revised: December 1, 2001
Accepted: December 5, 2001
Published online: October 15, 2002
Abstract

AIM: To study the feature of pancreatic microcirculatory impairment, especially the initial changes, in caerulein-induced experimental acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODS: The pancreatic microcirculation of caerulein-induced AP model was studied by intravital fluorescence microscopy with FITC-labeled erythrocytes (FITC-RBC), scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts, and light microscopy of Chinese ink-injected/cleared tissues.

RESULTS: Animals in caerulein-treated group showed hyperamylemia (× 2), pancreatic oedema, infiltration of inflammatory cells in pancreas. Constrictions of intralobular arteriolar sphincters, presence of vacuoles in all layers of sphincter, and gross irregularity in capillary network of acini were found in the AP specimens. The decrease of pancreatic capillary blood flow (0.34 ± 0.10 nL·min-1vs 0.91 ± 0.06 nL·min-1 of control, P < 0.001), reduction of functional capillary density (277 ± 13 cm-1vs 349 ± 8 cm-1 of control, P < 0.001), and irregular intermittent perfusion were observed in caerulein-induced groups.

CONCLUSION: Impairment and constriction of pancreatic intralobular arteriolar sphincter are the initial microcirculatory lesions in the early phase of acute pancreatitis, and play a key role in the pancreatic ischaemia and pancreatic microvascular failure in acute pancreatitis.

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