RAT PANCREATITIS-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN IS EXPRESSED IN RELATION TO SEVERITY OF EXPERIMENTAL PANCREATITIS

To study the relation between expression of the pancreatitis-associate d protein (PAP) and severity of pancreatitis in rats, different degree s of experimental pancreatitis were induced by a 1-, 3-, or 5-h cerule in infusion (5 mu g kg(-1) h(-1)). This treatment decreased pancreatic volume secretion to below 10%. Immediately after infusion, the secret ion rate increased to similar to 50% of control. Within 1 day, volume and bicarbonate secretion rates were not different from controls. At t his point, protein secretion amounted to 30% of control, but only in a nimals receiving the 3- or 5-h dose. The values increased to 40-60% wi thin 3 days. In all groups, the isoenzyme pattern was not influenced b y the cerulein treatment. One day after induction of pancreatitis, the PAP was found in pancreaticjuice in concentrations related to the dos e of cerulein given. By immunohistochemical techniques, the protein wa s iocalized over acinar cells, but was not detectable in interstitial tissue, islets, or in the healthy exocrine pancreas. Pathomorphologic alterations in the pancreas were quantified by a scoring system. One a nd 2 days after the treatment, a more severe pancreatitis and more ele vated levels of PAP were found in animals treated with the higher dose of cerulein. It is concluded that PAP is expressed in the pancreas in relation to the severity of cerulein-induced pancreatitis.