Pancreatic microcirculatory impairment in experimental acute pancreatitis in rats.
OBJECTIVE
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 (X2), 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 x min(-1) vs 0.91+/-0.06 nl x min(-1) of control, P<0.001), reduction of functional capillary density(277+/-13 cm(-1) vs 349+/-8 cm(-1) of control, P<0.001), and irregular intermittent perfusion were observed in caerulein-induced groups.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Zhou
Zong-Guang
ZG
III Department of General Surgery (Gastroenteric Surgery), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China. zhou767@21cn.com
Chen
You-Dai
YD
Sun
Wei
W
Chen
Zhong
Z
D000208:Acute Disease; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001160:Arterioles / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002108:Ceruletide; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004912:Erythrocytes; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010179:Pancreas / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000473:pathology
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D002108:Ceruletide; D000681:Amylases; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate