Heat shock response is associated with protection against acute interstitial pancreatitis in rats

We recently reported that hyperthermia induces pancreatic expression of hea t shock proteins (HSPs), particularly HSP70 isoforms, and protects against cerulein pancreatitis. We have now studied whether a double hyperthermia am plifies these effects and whether hyperthermia also protects against dibuty ltin dichloride (DBTC)-induced pancreatitis. A further aim was to examine w hether hyperthermia induces changes in transforming growth factor-beta (1) (TGF-beta (1)), Following pretreatment without or with a single or double h yperthermia, pancreatitis was induced by application of cerulein or DBTC. P ancreatic HSP and TGF-beta (1) expression were studied by immunoblotting. P ancreas injury was assessed by light microscopy and serum pancreatic enzyme activity. Hyperthermia as well as DBTC induced HP72, whereas cerulein did not. A double hyperthermia led to a further increase in HSP72 compared to a single heat stress. In both models, hyperthermia significantly reduced pan creatic injury. Although a double hyperthermia slightly decreased the sever ity of cerulein pancreatitis compared to a single heat treatment, an improv ed pancreas protection against DBTC cytotoxicity was not achieved. We also found that hyperthermia induces the expression of TGF-beta (1) In conclusio n, hyperthermia preconditioning exerts protective effects against two patho physiologically different types of pancreatitis by a mechanism that involve s the up-regulation of IISP70 isoforms as well as TGF-beta (1).