Uptake and Incorporation of Amino Acids by Rat Pancreas in vitro during Acute, Experimental Pancreatitis

Abstract

The uptake of amino acids by pancreatic cells in vitro and their incorporation into proteins were examined 24 h after induction of acute pancreatitis. The incorporation of amino acids into protein decreases to one third in the pancreas when treated with physiological saline solution and to one tenth when treated with deoxycholate solution. These treatments did not alter the uptake of amino acids by the pancreatic tissue. An elevated valine pool of damaged pancreas does not account for the decreased incorporation of 14C valine into the protein fraction. The results thus indicate that acute pancreatitis is associated with a diminished capacity for protein synthesis. This is paralleled by a decrease in the specific activity of lipase and ATPase.