Somatostatin attenuates microcirculatory impairment in acute sodium taurocholate-induced pancreatitis

Using in vivo microscopy, red blood cell (RBC) velocities, functional capillary density (FCD), and overall changes in capillary blood flow (PI) were estimated following intraductal infusion of sodium taurocholate (0.8 ml; 4%) alone or in combination with systemic administration of somstostatin (single bolus SMS 100 mu g/100 g body wt). Sodium taurocholate mediated a significant transient decrease in RBC velocities and a sustained decrease in FCD, which were paralleled by dramatic flow heterogeneity. Therefore, a significant reduction in overall capillary blood flow was calculated. Additional SMS treatment reduced microcirculatory impairment as expressed by reduction of blood flow heterogeneity, a less rarified functional capillary density, and a recovery of RBC velocities and acinar capillary overall perfusion to control values. As a result of this microcirculatory improvement, pancreas histology revealed slightly less severe tissue damage compared to the non-SMS-treated pancreatitis group. These findings demonstrate that exogenous SMS infusion can improve microcirculatory failure in acute biliary pancreatitis, which should have a beneficial effect on the course of the disease.