Isolated acinar cells from rat pancreas in pathogenic studies on acute pancreatitis

In the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis the events and mechanisms increasing the digestibility of the acinar cells are widely unknown. To study these processes at cellular level, isolated exocrine cells from rat pancreas were utilized as experimental tool. The investigations revealed that extracellularly acting noxae seem to be of less importance to triggering autodigestion. The plasma membrane of the acinar cells was relatively resistant to extracellular trypsin, while anoxia or uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation obviously reduced the survival of these cells. Combined action of small amounts of trypsin and partial uncoupling resulted in a potentiated cell destruction. The findings presented stress the importance of a well-functioning energy metabolism for the protective potential of acinar cells to further harmful conditions.