Continuous intravenous octreotide treatment for acute experimental pancreatitis

Background: The efficacy of octreotide, the synthetic analogue of the hormone somatostatin, for the treatment of acute pancreatitis is controversial. Octreotide has been commonly administered in subcutaneous bolus injections; however, continuous intravenous infusion may be advantageous for acute conditions. Methods: Acute experimental pancreatitis was induced in rats by intraparenchymal injections of 1 mi 10% sodium taurocholate, and octreotide (1 mu g/kg/h, dissolved in physiological solution, intravenously was started 4 h later and continuously infused for 48 h. Physiological solution infusions, in identical volumes, were used in the controls. The following parameters were examined: mortality; macroscopic and histological damage; hematocrit; plasma pH; acid-base balance; serum glucose; calcium, and amylase. Results: Octreotide treatment had a striking effect on mortality: 8.3 versus 91.6% in the treatment and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001), Octreotide also ameliorated pancreatic edema and intestinal dilatation, and had significant beneficial effects on histopathological damage and the biochemical alterations which are associated with acute pancreatitis. Conclusions: Continuous intravenous octreotide infusion is a potentially efficacious therapeutic method for acute pancreatitis.