Inhibition of ethionine pancreatitis in the rabbit by DL-BETA-3 thienylalanine pretreatment

Beta-3 thienylalanine, an inhibitor of zymogen formation, was studied in the experimental model of ethionine pancreatitis in the rabbit. Beta-3TA pretreated and nonpretreated rabbits were given ethionine for six days and controls were given chow only. Animals were killed and serum amylase values determined. Pancreatic tissue was studied by light and electron microscopy. Beta-3TA pretreated rabbits on ethionine showed normal amylase values, while those receiving only ethionine showed high values. Microscopic examination showed severe pancreatitis in the nonpretreated group but only mild vacuolization of cells in the Beta-3TA pretreated animals. Electron microscopy demonstrated integrity of rough endoplasmic reticulum in pretreated animals and severe distortion of cytoplasmic organelles in nonpretreated animals.