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Hepatic involvement in pancreatitis-induced lung damage
1Department of Medical Bioanalysis, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Barcelona, Spain.
The American Journal of Physiology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
The liver actively contributes to lung injury during acute pancreatitis by altering metabolic functions. Preventing liver passage with a portocaval shunt ameliorates this respiratory dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pulmonology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Acute pancreatitis can lead to systemic complications, including respiratory dysfunction.
- The liver's role in modulating the systemic inflammatory response during acute pancreatitis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the liver's involvement in the respiratory complications of acute pancreatitis.
- To determine if preventing hepatic passage of pancreatic substances affects lung injury.
Main Methods:
- Experimental necrohemorrhagic pancreatitis was induced in rats using sodium taurocholate.
- A portocaval shunt was performed to divert pancreatic substances away from the liver.
- Lung function, biochemical markers, and histopathology were assessed 12 hours post-induction.
Main Results:
- Pancreatitis induced significant lung prostacyclin and thromboxane B2 synthesis, decreased superoxide dismutase activity, and increased plasma phospholipase A2 activity.
- Histopathological analysis revealed inflammatory lung injury.
- The portocaval shunt prevented these metabolic changes and reduced lung inflammation.
Conclusions:
- The liver plays an active role in the systemic inflammatory response and subsequent respiratory dysfunction associated with acute pancreatitis.
- Metabolic alterations in the liver contribute to lung injury.
- Modulating hepatic involvement may offer therapeutic strategies for acute pancreatitis complications.