Enzyme levels in pancreatic tissue and body fluids during experimental pancreatitis

Abstract

Summary The studies described in this paper demonstrate the following points: o 1. Amylase and precursors of the proteolytic enzymes in the pancreas were rapidly depleted upon initiation of severe pancreatitis. 2. Active proteases appeared in pancreatic tissue during pancreatitis (assayed at pH 7.4). 3. Large amounts of pancreatic amylase were lost directly into the peritoneal cavity during pancreatitis. In addition, the pancreatic amount concentration was, in the late stages, thoracic lymph than in blood plasma. Milk secretion was obtained from the cannulated pancreatic duct during pancreatitis. 4. The plasma volumes of dogs with severe pancreatic necrosis decreased from a mean control of 1093 ml. to 711 ml. five hours after initiation of pancreatitis. 5. Hemorrhagic pancreatic tissue slices and tissue homogenates buffered at pH 4.5 were shown to digest a gelatin film. Normal pancreas did not exhibit this ability. It was suggested that the proteolytic activity of diseased pancreas at pH 4.5 indicates the presence of an active catheptic system. 6. A hypothetical description of events in pancreatitis is presented.