CHRONIC ALCOHOL INTAKE AND CARBACHOL-INDUCED ACUTE-PANCREATITIS IN THE RAT

Alcohol-induced changes in cholinergic and pancreozymin pathways regul ating exocrine pancreatic secretion have been proposed to play a cruci al role in the pathogenesis of acute alcoholic pancreatitis. In the pr esent study we investigated the role of chronic alcohol intake in an e xperimental acute pancreatitis induced in rats by cholinergic hypersti mulation. Chronic alcohol intake interfered with the function of rat p ancreatic muscarinic receptors in carbachol-induced acute pancreatitis . However, chronic alcohol intake did not sensitize the experimental a nimals to cholinergic hyperstimulation. Whether this increased resista nce at the level of pancreatic muscarinic receptors contributes to acu te alcoholic pancreatitis is discussed in the present article.