[Morphologic and biochemical changes in acute experimental interstitial pancreatitis]

Repeated subcutaneous injections of cholecystokinin-octapeptide has brought about an acute interstitial pancreatitis in rats. The aim of the experiment was the study of histological and biochemical alterations with special regard to regeneration phenomena. The treatment was carried out for 1 (group 1), 3,5 and 7 (group 2) days. Morphological alterations were more pronounced in group 2 than in group 1, but the pathological process was principally similar in both groups. Lowest values of pancreatic weight, protein and DNA content were attained in both groups at day 5. After this, protein and DNA started to increase. Hyperstimulation with CCK-OP on day 5 did not increase the degree of pancreas damage, nor did it prevent morphological and functional regeneration. The reason of this may be the decreased CCK-OP sensitivity of pancreatic acinar cells and/or the increased CCK-OP tolerance of newly formed acinar cells.