Antecedent long term ethanol consumption in combination with different diets alters the severity of experimental acute pancreatitis in rats.

The effect of fat rich (F), protein rich (P) and carbohydrate rich (C) diets and chronic ethanol consumption on experimental acute pancreatitis was studied in rats. One hundred and ninety two animals with induced acute pancreatitis were divided into eight groups fed either a mixture of water and 15% ethanol (v/v), or tap water combined with standard or special diets according to their group, for 12 weeks. The other control 192 rats were divided into equal groups. Bile induced experimental acute pancreatitis caused the highest mortality (37.5%) in the animals receiving F diet and ethanol. In this group significant haemoconcentration, peritoneal exudate formation and the most extensive fat necrosis were also observed. The carbohydrate rich diet with or without ethanol did not have any significant effect on the severity of acute pancreatitis. Diet and ethanol may alter the metabolism of the pancreas and cause derangements at the systemic level. These derangements might cause the increased susceptibility to acute pancreatitis. These changes in the metabolism may be fatal because of the increased toxicity of the peritoneal exudate secreted during the inflammation.