Effects of endotoxin on the pancreatic ultrastructure

Intravenous administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin caused a state of shock with increased serum cationic trypsin-like immunoreactivity (CTLI) in a porcine model. The pancreatic acinar cells revealed focal changes, including intracellular oedema, appearance of membrane-bound vacuoles and breaks in the plasma membrane. In the micro circulatory vessels, there was swelling of endothelial cells. Similar changes have been observed in hemorrhagic and cardiogenic shock. This study demonstrates severe ultrastructural changes in the pancreas during E. coli endotoxin shock.