Pancreatic duct obstruction triggers acute necrotizing pancreatitis in the opossum.
BACKGROUND
The common channel theory suggests that bile reflux, through a common biliopancreatic channel, triggers acute pancreatitis. In the present study, this controversial issue was evaluated using an experimental model of hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis.


METHODS
American opossums underwent ligation of the pancreatic duct alone, bile and pancreatic duct separately, or common biliopancreatic duct; the severity of pancreatitis was evaluated at selected times after ligation.


RESULTS
Animals in all three experimental groups developed hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis; the severity of pancreatitis was similar in each group, although only those subjected to common biliopancreatic duct ligation experienced bile reflux.


CONCLUSIONS
Bile reflux into the pancreatic duct, via a common biliopancreatic channel, is not necessary for the development of pancreatitis and does not worsen the severity of pancreatitis associated with pancreatic duct obstruction in this model.
Lerch
M M
MM
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Digestive Diseases Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Saluja
A K
AK
Rünzi
M
M
Dawra
R
R
Saluja
M
M
Steer
M L
ML
D000208:Acute Disease; D000681:Amylases / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001655:Bile Reflux / Q000150:complications; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D009893:Opossums; D010179:Pancreas / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
D000681:Amylases