Microcirculation disorders of the pancreas in cerulein induced acute pancreatitis in rats with regard to nitrogen oxide and heparin

Abstract Microcirculatory disturbance may play an important role in the development of severe pancreatitis, leading the edematous form of the disease to the necrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of L-arginine (nitric oxide donor), L-NN (NO synthase inhibitor), and heparin on the pancreas microcirculation, serum interleukin-6 level and microscopic alterations of the pancreas in acute pancreatitis in rats. Acute pancreatitis was induced in 72 rats by four intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (CN) (15 micrograms/kg body weight). Microcirculatory values was measured by means of laser Doppler flowmetry five hours after the first cerulein injection. The animals were divided into the following groups (12 rats each), according to the kind of treatment: Group 1 (CN), Group 2 (CN + L-NNA), Group 3 (CN + L-arginine), Group 4 (CN + Heparin), Group 5 (Control), Group 6 (L-NNA), Group 7 (L-arginine), Group 8 (Heparin). Remarkable morphologic changes in the pancreas including parenchymal necrosis, an elevation of serum IL-6 level, and significant drop of pancreatic capillary perfusion was observed in rats with NO synthase inhibition. L-arginine improved the pancreatic microcirculatory but worsened the microscopic alteration within the pancreas. Heparin had a beneficial effect on the microcirculatory values, serum IL-6 concentration, and morphologic changes. Acute pancreatitis causes microcirculatory disturbance within the pancreatic gland. The inhibition of NO synthase aggravates AP. L-arginine treatment improves pancreatic perfusion but potentiates morphologic alterations. Heparin has beneficial impact on AP, it improves the microcirculation and inflammatory changes within the pancreatic gland.