Experimental pancreatitis treated with glucagon or lactated Ringer solution.

Abstract

One hundred twenty dogs were allocated randomly to five models of experimental pancreatitis and further assorted randomly within each model to four treatment groups. Pancreatitis models included the obstructed duodenal loop preparation and pancreatic duct injections of lactated Ringer solution or bile-trypsin solution at low or high pressures. Treatment groups were untreated controls; fluid-resuscitated animals; glucagon-treated animals; and animals that received both glucagon and fluids. Survival was recorded exactly up to 72 hours, at which time survivors were killed. Autopsy examinations recorded both gross and microscopic alterations in pancreatic structure. Glucagon treatment alone or in combination with volume resuscitation was not more efficacious than simple volume resuscitation in treatment of pancreatitis. In mild to moderate pancreatitis, glucagon therapy was associated with pancreatic hemorrhage not seen in either fluid-resuscitated or untreated control animals.