Alpha 1-antitrypsin levels predict mortality from ethionine-induced pancreatitis in mice.
Experimental pancreatitis can be induced by an ethionine-containing, choline-deficient diet in mice. We investigated the role of circulating alpha 1-antitrypsin in this model using two strains of mice: ICR and C57BL-6. A 50% reduction in circulating alpha 1-antitrypsin occurred in all mice by day three of diet exposure. Total protein was reduced by only 9% and albumin was unchanged. Female mice of both strains had significantly lower alpha 1-antitrypsin levels than male mice prior to and after diet exposure. This was associated with significantly greater mortality in both female strains. Interstrain comparisons showed a significantly higher mortality in the C57BL-6 females (100%) compared to the ICR females (58%); this corresponded to significantly lower alpha 1-antitrypsin levels in C57BL-6 females. Regardless of sex or strain, alpha 1-antitrypsin levels prior to and after diet exposure were significantly higher in mice surviving than in mice dying. We conclude that circulating alpha 1-antitrypsin is a predictor of mortality from diet-induced pancreatitis.
Conn
M I
MI
Department of Medicine, Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Kueppers
F
F
Deren
J
J
Abrams
W
W
Weinbaum
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002796:Choline Deficiency; D005001:Ethionine; D005260:Female; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000401:mortality*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000032:analysis*
D001798:Blood Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D005001:Ethionine