PRODUCTS OF LIPID-PEROXIDATION AND CHANGES IN SULFHYDRYL COMPOUNDS IN PANCREATIC TISSUE OF RATS WITH CERULEIN-INDUCED ACUTE-PANCREATITIS

Acute edematous pancreatitis was induced in rats by iv infusion of caerulein (CR) in a supramaximal dose of 7.5 × 10-6g × kg-1 × hr-1 during 6 hr. The most important finding of our study was the marked decrease of protein and nonprotein thiol content in pancreatic tissue of rats with CR-induced acute pancreatitis (AP). Oxygen radicals as well as 4-hydroxyalkenals resulting from lipid peroxidation are believed to be at least partly responsible for this phenomenon. Covalent binding of excessive amounts of 4-hydroxyalkenals to pancreatic tissue protein sulfhydryl groups has been documented. Presented data suggest a serious disturbance of sulfhydryl compounds metabolism in pancreatic tissue of rats with CR-induced AP which may be of importance in the pathogenesis of the disease. © 1991.