Proteolytic proenzymes in the pancreas in the course of experimental bile-induced pancreatitis in the guinea pig.

The levels of the proenzymes trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen were studied in guinea pigs with pancreatitis induced by injection of sodium taurocholate containing the antibiotic cephalothin. This treatment inhibited the enzyme activities and prolonged the activation times of the proenzymes. Both trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen content decreased after induction of pancreatitis, but there were no significant changes in the proenzyme contents in relation to injection-to-excision times. Sodium taurocholate and cephalothin were cleared from the pancreas in 2 h. Administration of chlorophyll-a together with the inducer caused a slight increase in proenzyme levels.