Potential role of cholecystokinin in the development of acute pancreatitis

Evidence based on animal studies suggests that cholecystokinin (CCK) is inv olved in the induction and development of acute experimental pancreatitis. However, the results obtained with CCK or CCKA receptor antagonists in diff erent species (rats, mice) and different models of acute pancreatitis (ceru lein pancreatitis, hemorrhagic pancreatitis induced by choline-deficient, e thionine-supplemented diet, arginine-induced pancreatitis, sodium taurochol ate-induced pancreatitis) produced variable results. The route of administr ation, the specificity and potency of compounds and the design of the study are predictive for the outcome. Based on the available information, CCK ap pears to play a contributory role in the development of acute experimental pancreatitis in mice and rats. No conclusions can be drawn from these resul ts with respect to the human disease.