BRADYKININ INVOLVEMENT IN THE AGGRAVATION OF ACUTE-PANCREATITIS IN RABBITS

This study was designed to investigate the role of bradykinin in the a ggravation of acute pancreatitis. After injection of bradykinin 2 mu g /kg to anesthetized rabbits with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis, the pancreatic blood flow through gastroduodenal and superior mesenter ic arteries (GDAF and SMAF) was determined with electromagnetic blood flow meters, the serum amylase level was measured, and pancreatic tiss ue was observed histologically. In rabbits treated with a supramaximal dose of cerulein alone (20 mu g/kg/h), pancreatic blood flow was decr eased and the serum amylase level was increased significantly by the e arly phase, and histological examination showed acute edematous pancre atitis. In rabbits treated with cerulein and bradykinin, GDAF and SMAF were significantly diminished at 300 min (51 +/- 5 % and 50 +/- 4%, r espectively, p < 0.05), and the serum amylase level rose significantly at 180 and 300 min (730 +/- 130% and 1,190 +/- 200%, respectively, p < 0.01) compared with rabbits treated with cerulein alone, and histolo gical examination revealed pancreatic necrosis and greater inflammator y cell infiltration. These findings suggest that bradykinin has an add itive role in the aggravation of acute pancreatitis.