Published online Apr 15, 1998. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v4.i2.144
Revised: December 30, 1997
Accepted: January 10, 1998
Published online: April 15, 1998
AIM: To determine the site of production and uptake of tumor necrotic factor alpha (TNFα), and evaluate the relationship between serum TNFα and plasma endotoxin (ET) in rats with acute hemor-rhagic necrotic pancreatitis (AHNP).
METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into AHNP group and control group (n = 12). AHNP model was induced by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate via pancreatic bile duct. The blood samples were obtained through portal vein 2 and 6 h after the operation.
RESULTS: The contents of TNFα in portal vein were increased rapidly in the development of AHNP. They were lower in hepatic vein (280.59 ± 20.02) and femoral artery (310.82 ± 7.97) than in portal vein (354.91 ± 25.50) (P < 0.05), and higher in femoral artery than in hepatic vein 6 h after the operation (P < 0.05). TNFα level in plasma was increased significantly when ET level in portal vein showed no increase.
CONCLUSION: Pancreas, spleen, liver, intestinal tract and lung are the main organs to produce TNFα, and liver is also an important site for TNFα uptake in the development of AHNP. Plasma endotoxin is not a trigger for TNFα release in rats with AHNP.