Influence of secretin on the course of acute experimental pancreatitis in rats

Inhibition of pancreatic secretion is a widely accepted therapeutical principle of acute pancreatitis. However, stimulation of water and bicarbonate secretion may be beneficial by washing out the ductular system in pancreatitis. Secretin (2 and 16 CU/kg body weight) or saline were given to rats at different time intervals after induction of sodium taurocholate pancreatitis. Pancreatic necrosis and edema were slightly more marked after secretin but secretin had no influence on the survival time and rate or enzymatic parameters. It is concluded that in the rat secretin-induced pancreatic secretion does not alter the course of acute pancreatitis.