title: Long-term evolution of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia and β-cell mass after radiofrequency-assisted transection of the pancreas in a controlled large animal model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pancreatic duct ligation (PDL) has been used as a model of chronic pancreatitis and as a model to increase β-cell mass. However, studies in mice have demonstrated acinar regeneration after PDL, questioning the long-term validity of the model. We aim to elucidate whether RF-assisted transection (RFAT) of the main pancreatic duct is a reliable PDL model, both in short (ST, 1-month) and long-term (LT, 6-months) follow-ups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven pigs were subjected to RFAT. Biochemical (serum/peripancreatic amylase and glucose) and histological changes (including a semiautomatic morphometric study of over 1000 images/pancreas and IHC analysis) were evaluated after ST or LT follow-up and also in fresh pancreas specimens that were used as controls for 1 (n = 4) and 6 months (n = 6).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The distal pancreas in the ST was characterized by areas of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (56%) which were significantly reduced at LT (21%) by fibrotic replacement and adipose tissue. The endocrine mass showed a normal increase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RFAT in the pig seems to be an appropriate PDL model without restoration of pancreatic drainage or reduction of endocrine mass.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Group HBP, Fundación Instituto Mar de Investigaciones Médicas, Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona 08003, Spain. Electronic address: rquesada@imim.es.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Quesada
authors.affiliation: Medicine and Surgery of Animals Department, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andaluz
authors.affiliation: General and Digestive Surgery Department, Hospital Universitari Sagrat Cor, Viladomat 288, 08029 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cáceres
authors.affiliation: Medicine and Surgery of Animals Department, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona 08193, Spain.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Hospital del Mar, Passeig Marítim 25-29, Barcelona 08003, Spain.
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.affiliation: Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Surgical Unit, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland.
authors.forename: Dimitri
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dorcaratto
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Department, Hospital del Mar, Passeig Marítim 25-29, Barcelona 08003, Spain.
authors.forename: Ignasi
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Poves
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Synergy, Electronic Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia 46022, Spain.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berjano
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Department, Hospital del Mar, Passeig Marítim 25-29, Barcelona 08003, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Department, Hospital del Mar, Passeig Marítim 25-29, Barcelona 08003, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burdío
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming / Q000502:physiology; D008026:Ligation / Q000379:methods; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000601:surgery*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000681:Amylases
keywords: Acinar-to-ductal metaplasia; Animal model; Duodenopancreatectomy; Pancreatic duct ligation; Radiofrequency-assisted transection; β-cell mass