Biochemical changes in a porcine model of acute pancreatitis

Pancreatitis was induced in 11 miniature pigs by infusing a bile salt-trypsin solution into the pancreatic duct. Seven animals served as sham-operated controls. Serum ionized calcium, total calcium, albumin, total protein, inorganic phosphorus, urea nitrogen, magnesium, insulin, glucagon, and hematocrit were determined every six to 12 h over a period of one week in both test and control animals. We observed significant decreases in ionized and total calcium, modest decreases in albumin, and significant increases in the inorganic phosphorus, urea nitrogen, and hematocrit in the pancreatitic pigs. The latter two findings were consistent with early acute hypovolemia. Glucagon and insulin appeared to play no role in the hypocalcemia. Glucagon concentrations increased to the same degree in both test and control animals, probably as a result of the stress of being handled and operated on. The highest concentrations of inorganic phosphorus and the lowest concentrations of both ionized and total calcium were seen 18 h after the induction of pancreatitis in the test animals. These findings suggest that parathyrin (parathormone) was not being secreted in adequate amounts, or that the target organs were unresponsive to parathyrin.