[Protective effect of pancreatic enzyme depletion in the course of acute pancreatitis--experimental study in rats].

This study was performed to assess the effects of the reduction of pancreatic enzymatic content in the evolution of acute pancreatitis (A.P.) in rats. We hypothesized that cerulein in physiologic dose reduces the enzymatic content of the pancreas and may decrease the mortality of A.P.. Four groups of rats have been studied. In the group I cerulein in a total dose of 8 ug/Kg was given, Group II was a control group, Group III received cerulein in inframaximal dose (0.4 micrograms/Kg) and Group IV was a control group with free access to diet and water. Acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde injection of taurocholic acid into the pancreatic duct. The mortality was 60% in group I, 56% in group II, 23% in group III and 34% in group IV. These results suggest that by decreasing enzymatic content of the pancreas the severity of acute pancreatitis may be reduced.