Peroxidised linoleic acid and experimental pancreatitis

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Gastroenterology
• Pathology

Background:

• Elevated lipid peroxidation products, primarily isomerized linoleic acid, are found in bile of patients with recurrent pancreatitis.
• These products can be generated by ultraviolet (UV) peroxidation of linoleic acid in the presence of albumin, mimicking biological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of linoleic acid peroxidation products on the rat pancreas.
• To determine if UV-peroxidised linoleic acid, similar to that found in human bile, induces pancreatic injury.

Main Methods:

• Rats received retrograde infusion of ultraviolet-peroxidised linoleic acid (3.6 or 25 mmol/l) or lipoxidase-peroxidised linoleic acid (25 mmol/l) in bile salts with or without albumin.
• Control groups received bile salts alone or non-peroxidised linoleic acid.
• Pancreatic injury was assessed macroscopically and histologically at 3-h and 12-h intervals.

Main Results:

• Both UV-peroxidised and lipoxidase-peroxidised linoleic acid at 25 mmol/l caused significantly greater pancreatic injury than bile salts alone.
• UV-peroxidised linoleic acid induced more severe damage than non-peroxidised linoleic acid.
• Histological examination confirmed significant pancreatic damage, though hemorrhage was not observed.

Conclusions:

• Peroxidation products of linoleic acid, particularly those generated by UV light in the presence of albumin, play a significant role in inducing pancreatic injury.
• These findings support the hypothesis that abnormal bile composition, specifically lipid peroxidation products, may initiate acute pancreatitis.