[Adrenal medullary function in acute pancreatitis with shock in the dog]

We investigated adrenal medullary function in acute pancreatitis with shock in dog. Pancreatitis was induced by injection of autologous bile into the main pancreatic duct. Adrenal medullary function was examined by basal adrenal catecholamine (CA) output and CA release response to the electrical stimulation of the 1t. splanchnic nerve. Animals were divided into two types--Shock type and non-shock type. In both types, basal CA output increased gradually, but, CA release response in shock type was lower than that in non-shock type. Moreover, both values of basal CA output and CA release response in shock type were lower than those oligemic shock group at the same blood pressure level. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed among these 3 groups on the increase of blood pressure by nerve stimulation, that is, low response of CA release in shock type had no relation with the nerve injury. It was concluded that adrenal medulla was injured in acute pancreatitis with shock by pancreatitis per se.