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Updated: Sep 1, 2026
Angiogenesis in the Ischemic Rat Lung
Published on: February 8, 2013
Pulmonary microvasculature in experimental acute haemorrhagic and oedematous pancreatitis
D M Kelly1, G P McEntee, K F McGeeney
1Department of Surgery, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract:
The pulmonary microvasculature was examined in two experimental models of acute pancreatitis by scanning electron microscopy of microvascular corrosion casts. Haemorrhagic pancreatitis was induced in eight male Sprague-Dawley rats using an intraductal injection of 5 per cent sodium taurocholate. Oedematous pancreatitis was induced in seven male Sprague-Dawley rats using an intravenous infusion of supramaximal doses of caerulein (5 micrograms/kg per hour). The pulmonary vessels were cast using a polymer resin and the cast studied by scanning electron microscopy at 3 and 12 h in those with haemorrhagic and at 1 and 4 h in those with oedematous pancreatitis. Vascular abnormalities were present in both models at the initial study time with abruptly terminating vessels being more prominent in the caerulein model. At the later times, however, the abnormalities in the sodium taurocholate model were much more severe, with a substantial loss of vascular density, tortuosity and abrupt terminations of those vessels present. Microvascular abnormalities may be responsible for some of the pulmonary changes seen in oedematous and haemorrhagic pancreatitis.
Insights
Acute pancreatitis damages lung blood vessels. Both hemorrhagic and edematous pancreatitis models showed vascular abnormalities, with severe damage in the hemorrhagic model.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
Background:
- Acute pancreatitis can lead to systemic complications, including acute lung injury.
- The specific changes in the pulmonary microvasculature during acute pancreatitis are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological changes in the pulmonary microvasculature in experimental models of acute pancreatitis.
- To compare the vascular alterations in hemorrhagic versus edematous pancreatitis.
Main Methods:
- Two rat models of acute pancreatitis were used: hemorrhagic (sodium taurocholate) and edematous (caerulein).
- Pulmonary microvasculature was visualized using scanning electron microscopy of microvascular corrosion casts.
- Vascular casts were analyzed at different time points (1-12 hours) post-induction.
Main Results:
- Vascular abnormalities were observed in both pancreatitis models.
- Abruptly terminating vessels were more prominent in the edematous (caerulein) model early on.
- Hemorrhagic (sodium taurocholate) pancreatitis showed more severe vascular damage later, including loss of density and tortuosity.
Conclusions:
- Both hemorrhagic and edematous pancreatitis induce significant pulmonary microvascular abnormalities.
- These microvascular changes may contribute to the pulmonary complications observed in acute pancreatitis.
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