Effective intraperitoneal antiprotease therapy for taurocholate-induced pancreatitis in rats

Hepatic steatosis depresses alpha-1-antitrypsin levels in human and rat acute pancreatitis

Hepatic steatosis (HS) can exacerbate acute pancreatitis (AP). This study aimed to investigate the relation between α1-antitrypsin (AAT) and acute pancreatitis when patients have HS. Using proteomic profiling, we identified 18 differently expressed proteins pots in the serum of rats with or without HS after surgical establishment of AP. AAT was found to be one of the significantly down-regulated proteins. AAT levels were significantly lower in hepatic steatosis acute pancreatitis (HSAP) than in non-HSAP (NHSAP) (P < 0.001). To explore the clinical significance of these observations, we measured the levels of AAT in the serum of 240 patients with HSAP, NHSAP, fatty liver disease (FLD), or no disease. Compared with healthy controls, serum AAT levels in patients with NHSAP were significantly higher (P < 0.01), while in patients with HSAP serum AAT levels were significantly lower (P < 0.01). Further studies showed that acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE-II) scores were negatively correlated with serum AAT levels (r = −0.85, P < 0.01). In conclusion, low serum levels of AAT in patients with HSAP are correlated with disease severity and AAT may represent a potential target for therapies aiming to improve pancreatitis.

Ulinastatin enhances the therapeutic effect of intraperitoneal lavage on severe acute pancreatitis in rats

The present study investigated the therapeutic effect of peritoneal lavage with ulinastatin on the outcome of rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). A total of 110 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following groups: Control (C), SAP model (SAP), saline lavage (SL), intravenous ulinastatin (IU) and low-dose (LUL), medium-dose (MUL), high-dose (HUL) and ultrahigh-dose (UHUL) ulinastatin lavage. The treatments were performed immediately subsequent to the establishment of the SAP model. Intraperitoneal lavage with or without ulinastatin was performed for 3 h. Survival time was recorded for 12 h and the median survival time was calculated. Histopathological analyses, and measurements of plasma amylase and lipase levels were performed. Blood pH, lactic acid and base excess were also detected. The LUL, MUL, HUL, UHUL and IU groups showed an increase in the median survival time compared with the SAP group, with the maximal effect observed in the MUL group (P<0.01). The SL, MUL and IU groups showed a reduced activity of amylase and lipase compared with the SAP group. The SL (P<0.01) and the MUL groups (P<0.01) additionally showed a reduction in the lactic acid in arterial blood relative to the SAP group but the IU group did not. The MUL group showed greater improvements in pH (P<0.01) and base excess (P<0.01) versus the SAP group than the SL and IU groups. Furthermore the MUL group demonstrated a more marked reduction in the histological changes in necrosis, edema and inflammation compared with the SL and IU groups. Intraperitoneal lavage with ulinastatin significantly improves the prognosis of SAP in rats.

Early peritoneal lavage with ulinastatin improves outcome and enhances multi-organ protection in a model of severe acute pancreatitis

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of early peritoneal lavage with ulinastatin on the outcome of a rat model of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). A total of 80 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following groups: Sham-operated (C), SAP model (M), saline lavage (SL), intravenous ulinastatin (IU), early ulinastatin lavage (EUL) and late ulinastatin lavage (LUL). Intraperitoneal lavage or injection were performed immediately subsequent to the establishment of the SAP model in groups SL, IU and EUL and 3 h later in group LUL. Intraperitoneal lavage with or without ulinastatin was performed for 3 h. The survival time of the rats in groups C, M, EUL and LUL was recorded over a 12-h period and the median survival time was calculated. At 3 h after the induction of SAP, histopathological analyses were performed and the biochemical parameters of groups C, M, SL, IU and EUL were assessed. Groups EUL and LUL exhibited an increased median survival time compared with Group M, with the survival time of the rats in group EUL markedly longer than that in the group LUL rats. Group SL, IU and EUL rats were found to have reduced plasma activities of amylase, lipase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, with the biggest change observed in the group EUL rats. Furthermore, the intervention in groups SL and EUL was more effective at reducing creatinine and urea levels than that in group IU. Rats in group EUL exhibited a greater inhibition of the SAP-induced increase in troponin T levels than rats in groups SL and IU. The pathological severity scores of the pancreas, liver, kidney and lung in group EUL were significantly lower than those in groups M and better than those in groups SL and IU. In conclusion, early intraperitoneal lavage with ulinastatin significantly improves the median survival time and protects multi-organ function in an SAP model.

Aprotinin reduces oxidative stress induced by pneumoperitoneum in rats

BACKGROUND

Ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by pneumoperitoneum is a well-studied entity, which increases oxidative stress during laparoscopic operations. The reported anti-inflammatory action of aprotinin was measured in a pneumoperitoneum model in rats for the first time in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 male Albino Wistar rats were used in our protocol. Prolonged pneumoperitoneum (4 h) was applied, causing splanchnic ischemia and a period of reperfusion with a duration of 60 or 180 min followed. Several cytokines and markers of oxidative stress were measured in liver, small intestine, and lungs to compare the aprotinin group with the control group. Tissue inflammation was also evaluated and compared between groups using a five-scaled histopathologic score.

RESULTS

In aprotinin group values of biochemical markers (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, endothelin 1, C reactive protein, pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance, and carbonyl proteins) were lower in all tissues studied. Statistical significance was greater in liver and lungs (P < 0.05). Histopathologic examination revealed significant difference between control and aprotinin groups in all tissues examined. Aprotinin groups showed mild to moderate lesions, while in control groups severe to very severe inflammation was present. Aprotinin subgroup with prolonged reperfusion period (180 min) showed milder lesions in all tissues than the rest of the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Aprotinin reduced inflammatory response and oxidative stress induced by pneumoperitoneum in liver, small intestine, and lungs.

Aprotinin in severe acute pancreatitis

Aprotinin, a Kunitz protease inhibitor, has a wide inhibitory action with particular activity against trypsin, chymotrypsin and kallikrein, making it theoretically attractive in ameliorating the effects of acute pancreatitis. Its use in acute pancreatitis has been studied for the last 50 years with disappointing results. In this paper, we review the previous studies and argue that all the studies have not been adequately powered, have inappropriate end-points, but most importantly have not attained adequate plasma and peritoneal levels of aprotinin to produce sufficient inhibitory activity. We hypothesise that a well-powered study with adequate aprotinin dosing may clarify its clinical benefit in severe acute pancreatitis.

The inflammatory cascade in acute pancreatitis: relevance to clinical disease

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition that is initiated by the intra pancreatic activation of proteases. Pancreatic enzyme activation triggers a local and systemic inflammatory response that is associated with recruitment of inflammatory cells into the pancreas and a widespread up-regulation of inflammatory markers in distant tissues.

Clinical indications for use of fresh frozen plasma in dogs: 74 dogs (October through December 1999)

OBJECTIVE

To document reasons for use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in dogs and determine variables that apparently triggered the decision to use FFP.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

ANIMALS

74 dogs.

PROCEDURE

Medical records of dogs that received FFP at a veterinary teaching hospital during a 3-month period were reviewed.

RESULTS

The 74 dogs underwent 144 transfusion episodes (TE; a TE was defined as 1 day of transfusion therapy) and received 252 units (120 ml/unit) of FFP. Fresh frozen plasma was administered to provide coagulation factors (67 TE), albumin (91), alpha-macroglobulin (15), or immunoglobulins (19); for some TE, multiple clinical indications were identified. Variables that apparently triggered the decision to administer FFP included active hemorrhage with or without prolongation of coagulation times, low total plasma protein concentration, persistent vomiting associated with pancreatitis, and sepsis. Mean doses of FFP for each indication were between 8.5 and 9.4 ml/kg (3.9 and 4.3 ml/lb). Small dogs were generally given higher doses (mean dose, 13.9 ml/kg [6.3 ml/lb]) than large dogs (mean dose, 5.1 ml/kg [2.3 ml/lb]). Fifty (68%) dogs were alive at the time of discharge from the hospital.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggest that FFP plays an important role in the care of critically ill dogs. Because the supply of FFP is limited, guidelines for when administration of FFP may be clinically useful should be developed.

Acute pancreatitis: assessment and management

In the 1920s Moynihan described acute pancreatitis as "..the most terrible of all intra-abdominal calamities". He established a practice of immediate surgical intervention to remove the toxic products accumulating in the peritoneal cavity, and this treatment was endorsed by most centres, remaining the standard therapy for the next 20 years. In the 1940s, the mortality of patients treated surgically was shown to be far higher than those treated conservatively, and a more conservative line of management was recommended, comprising nasogastric stomach decompression, intravenous fluid therapy, opiate analgesia, and the administration of atropine. Despite half a century passing, a clinician would not be criticised for adopting such a regime today, which in part reflects the lack of understanding of this condition and the failure of seemingly appropriate therapy. Reduction in mortality is a consequence of advances in intensive care preventing the high early mortality of organ failure, but the area of specific therapy remains elusive. While this is so, the mortality rates for these patients will remain static, while the doctor continues to feel clinically impotent.

Protective effect of AA-861 (5-lipoxygenase inhibitor) on experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats

The effect of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor AA-861 on acute necrotizing pancreatitis was studied in an experimental model. Pancreatitis was induced in rats by retrograde injection of 0.4 mL/kg body wt of 6% taurocholic acid into the pancreatic duct. The animals were divided into three groups: control group; administered AA-861 in a single dose of 30 mg/kg; and administered AA-861 in a single dose of 60 mg/kg. The following parameters were examined: serum amylase, lipase, trypsin, blood sugar, and survival rate. Histology of the pancreas was also studied. The serum amylase and lipase activities in groups 2 and 3 were lower than those in group 1 in the early phase after induction of pancreatitis. The elevation of serum trypsin was not suppressed by AA-861. Blood sugar was more efficiently controlled in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. The survival rates in groups 2 and 3 were better than that in group 1, but there were no significant differences among the three groups. Histologically, massive tissue necrosis with hemorrhage, edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration was prominent in group 1, whereas such changes were obviously suppressed in groups 2 and 3. The results suggest that AA-861 may prove useful in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

Effective peritoneal therapy of acute pancreatitis in the rat with glutaryl-trialanin-ethylamide: a novel inhibitor of pancreatic elastase

The six hour peritoneal lavage with glutaryl-trialanin-ethylamide, a low molecular competitive inhibitor of pancreatic elastase (IC50-8 mumol/l), effectively suppresses the evolution of taurocholate induced acute pancreatitis in the rat. The lavage alone is followed by a marked decrease of fat necrosis and amylase and lipase activity in serum. The area of pancreatic haemorrhage was significantly reduced only after the lavage solution was supplemented with Glt-Ala3-NHEt. The effect was not enhanced by a bolus injection of the inhibitor before starting the lavage. The combination of Glt-Ala3-NHEt with aprotinin or nafamstate mesilate produced only marginal greater benefit. The effect of Glt-Ala3-NHEt on pancreatic haemorrhage is time and dose related even with delayed onset of the lavage. Animals treated with peritoneal lavage without Get-Ala3-NHEt lived longer than controls (p less than 0.05), but by 60 hours the survival rate of both groups was almost the same (76 v 74%). All animals lavaged with Glt-Ala3-NHEt survived 120 hours and the difference in the survival rate between this and both remaining groups was significant (100% v 76% v 74% - p less than 0.05). The results were considered favourable and preliminary clinical trials of Glt-Ala3-NHEt in subjects with acute pancreatitis justified.

Role of the protease-antiprotease balance in peritoneal exudate during acute pancreatitis

The peritoneal exudate formed during experimental pancreatitis is toxic when administered intraperitoneally or intravenously to other animals. Overwhelming of the peritoneal antiprotease defences by proteolytic enzymes released from the pancreas may be a key factor responsible for this toxicity and is examined in the current study. Human pancreatitis exudates possessed tryptic amidase activity indicating trypsinogen activation. The trypsin inhibitory capacities of exudates were reduced indicating a degree of consumption of the peritoneal antiproteases. Of 21 exudates examined, three showed marked reduction of their trypsin inhibitory capacity indicating almost complete consumption of their antiproteases. All three patients were shocked at the time of sampling, two dying of fulminant pancreatitis within 24 h. Overwhelming of the peritoneal antiproteases was not confirmed, but may occur in a few instances where proteolytic enzyme release or zymogen activation continues. Intraperitoneal administration of exogenous antiproteases prolongs survival in rats with pancreatitis and has been suggested as a therapy in man. The current data suggests that few patients are likely to benefit from such an approach.