Local and systemic effects of aging on acute pancreatitis

/Objectives: Evaluation of the local and systemic effects of aging on the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) in an experimental rat model in elderly animals.

AP was induced in Wistar rats by intraductal 2.5% taurocholate injection and divided into two groups: Young (3 month old) and Aged (18 month old). Two and 24 h after AP induction blood samples were collected for determinations of amylase, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, glucose, and of plasma I-FABP. TNF-α and IL-6 levels were determined in serum and ascitic fluid. Liver mitochondrial function and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, pancreas histological analysis, and pulmonar myeloperoxidade (MPO) activity were performed. Bacterial translocation was evaluated by bacterial cultures of pancreas.

A significant increase in serum amylase, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, glucose, I-FABP, and IL-6 levels, and a reduction in serum and ascitic fluid TNF-α levels were observed in the aged group compared to the young group. Liver mitochondrial dysfunction, MDA contents, and pulmonary MPO activity were increased in the Aged AP group compared to the Young AP group. Positive bacterial cultures obtained from pancreas tissue in aged group were significantly increased compared to the young group. Acinar necrosis was also increased in aged AP group when compared to young AP group.

Aging worsens the course of acute pancreatitis evidenced by increased local and systemic lesions and increased bacterial translocation.