ANALYSIS OF THE DERANGEMENT OF THE PANCREATIC MICROCIRCULATION IN A RAT CERULEIN PANCREATITIS MODEL USING AN INTRAVITAL MICROSCOPE SYSTEM

In order to clarify the derangement of the pancreatic microcirculation in acute pancreatitis, the pancreatic microcirculation in caerulein p ancreatitis was monitored intravitally and the roles of bradykinin and nitric oxide were examined using bradykinin B-2 receptor antagonist, HOE140. Under an intravital microscope, the pancreatic microcirculatio n was observed 2 or 6 hr after the induction of acute pancreatitis. HO E140 was administered 30 min before the induction of acute pancreatiti s. The videoimages mere taken into the computer, and the value of gray scale was measured with imaging software to quantify the degree of ext ravasation. Extravasation in the postcapillary venules was remarkable and the velocity in pancreatic terminal arterioles decreased significa ntly. However, the adherence of leukocytes was not observed until 6 hr after the induction. Both the extension of extravasation and the decr ease of velocity were prevented by HOE140. The levels of nitric oxides in the pancreatic tissue declined and this decline was not influenced by HOE140. Bradykinin participates mainly in the regulation of vascul ar permeability in the early stage of caerulein pancreatitis. Further, the impairment of pancreatic microcirculation may play a key role in the onset and development of acute pancreatitis.