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.