THE ROLE OF ENDOGENOUS GLUCOCORTICOIDS IN RAT EXPERIMENTAL-MODELS OF ACUTE-PANCREATITIS

Background & Aims: Cytokines activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adren al axis and suppress inflammation by stimulating glucocorticoid secret ion, The state of adrenocortical function during acute pancreatitis an d its role in this disease were determined. Methods: Cerulein-induced pancreatitis or closed duodenal loop pancreatitis was produced in rats that had undergone adrenalectomy or sham adrenalectomy, and the serum corticosterone and interleukin 8 levels and the intensity of the panc reatitis were examined. Results: Serum corticosterone levels were sign ificantly higher than basal levels in both models of experimental panc reatitis, In both models, adrenalectomy increased serum amylase and pa ncreatic edema and produced more severe inflammation, Adrenalectomy si gnificantly increased mortality in animals with closed duodenal loop p ancreatitis. Exogenous hydrocortisone administered to adrenalectomized animals suppressed the elevation of serum interleukin 8 levels and de creased both the severity of pancreatitis and mortality, Conclusions: These results suggest that the adrenocortical function is stimulated d uring acute pancreatitis and that the secretion of endogenous glucocor ticoids may play an important role in mitigating the progress of this disease, probably by inhibiting cytokine production.