Platelet function in acute experimental pancreatitis.
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by disturbances of pancreatic microcirculation. It remains unclear whether platelets contribute to these perfusion disturbances. The aim of our study was to investigate platelet activation and function in experimental AP. Acute pancreatitis was induced in rats: (1) control (n=18; Ringer's solution), (2) mild AP (n=18; cerulein), and (3) severe AP (n=18; glycodeoxycholic acid (GDOC)+cerulein). After 12 h, intravital microscopy was performed. Rhodamine-stained platelets were used to investigate velocity and endothelial adhesion in capillaries and venules. In addition, erythrocyte velocity and leukocyte adhesion were evaluated. Serum amylase, thromboxane A2, and histology were evaluated after 24 h in additional animals of each group. Results showed that 24 h after cerulein application, histology exhibited a mild AP, whereas GDOC induced severe necrotizing AP. Intravital microscopy showed significantly more platelet-endothelium interaction, reduced erythrocyte velocity, and increased leukocyte adherence in animals with AP compared to control animals. Thromboxane levels were significantly elevated in all AP animals and correlated with the extent of platelet activation and severity of AP. In conclusion, platelet activation plays an important role in acute, especially necrotizing, pancreatitis. Mainly temporary platelet-endothelium interaction is observed during mild AP, whereas severe AP is characterized by firm adhesion with consecutive coagulatory activation and perfusion failure.
Hackert
Thilo
T
Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, INF 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany. Thilo_Hackert@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Pfeil
Dagmar
D
Hartwig
Werner
W
Fritz
Stefan
S
Schneider
Lutz
L
Gebhard
Martha-Maria
MM
Büchler
Markus W
MW
Werner
Jens
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D010179:Pancreas / Q000098:blood supply; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D015539:Platelet Activation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000097:blood
D013928:Thromboxane A2; D000681:Amylases