Effect of inducible cyclooxygenase expression on local microvessel blood flow in acute interstitial pancreatitis

Asian J Surg. 2004 Apr;27(2):93-8. doi: 10.1016/S1015-9584(09)60320-1.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the role of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) mRNA expression in local microvessels in rats with acute interstitial pancreatitis (AIP) induced by caerulein injection.

Methods: The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect COX-2 gene expression in pancreatic tissue. Parameters of acute pancreatitis, such as serum amylase (AMS) and plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, were assayed using spectrophotometry. Intravital fluorescence microscopy with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled erythrocytes was used to study the pancreatic microvessels of rats with AIP and normal control rats.

Results: Highly significant increases in COX-2 expression and AMS and MPO activity were seen in rats with AIP compared with controls. After caerulein injection, pancreatic capillary blood flow was decreased (4 hours, p > 0.05; 8 hours, p < 0.001), functional capillary density was reduced (4 hours, p > 0.05; 8 hours, p < 0.001), and there was irregular and intermittent capillary perfusion at 8 hours. There was also a positive correlation between the level of COX-2 expression and MPO activity (plasma, r = 0.5449, p < 0.05; tissue, r = 0.5698, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The correlations between increased COX-2 expression and decreased capillary perfusion and blood flow and increased oedema following AIP may show that COX-2 expression can induce neutrophil sequestration to the pancreas, which may be one of the cascading inflammatory factors in the development of AIP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Ceruletide / adverse effects
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / adverse effects
  • Gene Expression / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / biosynthesis
  • Isoenzymes / genetics*
  • Male
  • Microcirculation / physiopathology
  • Models, Animal
  • Pancreas / blood supply*
  • Pancreas / metabolism
  • Pancreatitis / chemically induced
  • Pancreatitis / genetics*
  • Pancreatitis / metabolism
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / biosynthesis
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / genetics*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Isoenzymes
  • Ceruletide
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases