HEPATIC INVOLVEMENT IN PANCREATITIS-INDUCED LUNG DAMAGE

The role of liver in the respiratory dysfunction associated with acute pancreatitis has been evaluated. For this purpose, an experimental ne crohemorrhagic pancreatitis was induced in rats by intraductal adminis tration of 3.5% sodium taurocholate. Additionally, a portocaval shunt was performed before induction of acute pancreatitis to prevent the in itial passage through the liver of substances released by the pancreas . Twelve hours after the induction of pancreatitis, increases in lung prostacyclin and thromboxane B-2 synthesis, decreased lung superoxide dismutase activity, and increases in plasma phospholipase A(2) activit y were found. In addition, inflammatory injury was evidenced in lung b y histopathological analysis. The portocaval shunt was able to prevent the metabolic changes and ameliorate the inflammatory process in the lung, suggesting that the liver plays an active role in the systemic i nflammatory response to acute pancreatitis.