Objectives
The most common etiology for acute pancreatitis results from the impaction of gallstones or sludge in the distal common bile duct (CBD). The result is pancreatic duct obstruction, diversion of bile into the pancreas, or cholestasis. In the current study, we examined whether combining both aspects, that is, infusion of the bile acid taurocholate (TC) followed by bile duct ligation (BDL), could yield a more severe form of pancreatitis that mimics biliary pancreatitis.
Methods
In mice, following laparotomy, the CBD was infused with either normal saline (NS) or TC. Subsequently, the CBD was ligated at the ampulla.
Results
Mice receiving TC infusion followed by BDL (TC+BDL) had higher mortality compared to animals receiving intra-ductal NS with BDL (NS+BDL). The TC+BDL arm developed more severe and diffuse pancreatic necrosis. In addition, serum amylase, IL-6, and bilirubin, were significantly higher. However, pancreatic edema as well as lung and liver injury were unchanged between TC+BDL and NS+BDL.
Conclusions
In summary, the combination of bile infusion into the pancreas followed by BDL causes a more severe, necrotizing pancreatitis. We believe this novel model of pancreatitis is useful because it can be employed in transgenic mice and recapitulates several aspects of biliary pancreatitis.