Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Establishment of a Mouse Severe Acute Pancreatitis Model using Retrograde Injection of Sodium Taurocholate into the Biliopancreatic Duct
Published on: April 1, 2022
Pharmacological cholinergic stimulation as a therapeutic tool in experimental necrotizing pancreatitis
Lutz Schneider1, Bahar Jabrailova, Hussein Soliman
1From the Departments of *General Surgery, and †Anesthesiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Objectives:
The endogenous immune response is influenced by the stimulation of the vagal nerve. Stimulation or ablation has a direct impact on the release of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. In the progression of acute pancreatitis from local to systemic disease, these mediators play a pivotal role. This study evaluates the effect of pharmacologic stimulation of the cholinergic system on pancreatic damage in experimental necrotizing pancreatitis.
Methods:
Experimental severe necrotizing pancreatitis was induced in male Wistar rats using the glycodeoxycholic acid model. Animals with acute pancreatitis (n = 6) were compared with animals with acute pancreatitis and prophylactic or therapeutic pharmacologic activation of the cholinergic system using nicotine, physostigmine, or neostigmine (n = 36). Twelve hours after the induction of acute pancreatitis, morphological damage as well as the myeloperoxidase levels of the pancreas and the serum levels of high-mobility group box 1 protein were evaluated.
Results:
Prophylactic and delayed therapeutic application of nicotine, physostigmine, or neostigmine significantly attenuated the severity of acute pancreatitis 12 hours after the induction of severe necrotizing pancreatitis compared with untreated controls as evaluated with histological scores, myeloperoxidase, and high-mobility group box 1 levels (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Stimulation of the cholinergic system is useful to attenuate damage in experimental acute pancreatitis. Not only prophylactic but also delayed application was effective in the present study.
Related Concept Videos
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
Direct-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacokinetics
Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology

