Studies on the kallikrein-kinin system in plasma and peritoneal fluid during experimental pancreatitis.

Using chromogenic peptide substrate assay technique, components of the plasma kallikrein-kinin system and trypsin activity were studied in plasma and peritoneal exudate during acute pancreatitis in pigs. In the plasma no significant changes occurred, but increased kallikrein activity was found in the peritoneal exudate. This finding was paralleled by a reduction in prekallikrein levels and functional kallikrein inhibition values. The trypsin activity in peritoneal exudate, however, increased inconstantly. These results emphasize the significance of peritoneal protease-antiprotease imbalance during acute pancreatitis.