[Critical evaluation of factors influencing pancreatic cytoprotection]

The authors give a brief survey on adaptive pancreatic cytoprotection and vasoprotection in the framework of which noxious agents and factors of defensive mechanism are made known and critically evaluated. In development of acute pancreatitis intraacinar redistribution of lysosomal hydrolases, colocalization of digestive and lysosomal enzymes, escape of digestive and lysosomal enzymes from pancreatic ductal system into the interstitium, inflammatory modulators released from macrophages and evoking local inflammation, ischaemia, furthermore feedback regulation of pancreatic secretion can be regarded as motives. Factors of defensive mechanism include prostaglandins, nitric oxide and the unobstructed, juice flow which promote the repair of injured membranes in acinar and vascular endothelial cells, respectively. Their whole sum may be called adaptive pancreatic cyto- and vasoprotection or pancreatic "self-defence mechanism".