Korean J Gastroenterol.  1998 Nov;32(5):657-663.

The Significance of Apoptosis in the Pancreas of Rats During Pancreatobiliary Duct Ligation

• Kim KH
• Kim CD
• Lee HS
• Kim YS
• Ryu HS
• Hyun JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been reported that after pancreatic duct ligation, acinar cells progressively disappear and pancreatic islets are preserved. Previous reports have suggested the involvement of apoptosis in acinar cell deletion. In the present study, we investigated the process of acinar cell deletion after pancreatic duct ligation by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method in rat.
METHODS
In male Sprague-Dawley rats, pancreatobiliary duct ligation was performed after a midline incision, Then, blood and pancreatic tissue were examined on the days 1, 2, 3, and 7 after duct ligation. Apoptosis was confirmed by TUNEL method.
RESULTS
Serum amylase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferase levels were increased after duct ligation. Marked dilatation and proliferation of pancreatic ductules were observed after duct ligation. Apoptosis was increased gradually after duct ligation and related with duration of duct ligation from 1 to 3 days. However, apoptosis was decreased on the day 7.
CONCLUSIONS
The pancreatic duct ligation induced apoptosis and acinar cell loss of the pancreas in rat. These results suggest that apoptosis may be the dorninant form of acinar cell loss after pancreatic duct ligation in rats.

Keyword

Pancreatobiliary duct ligation; Apoptosis; Acinar cell deletion; Rat

MeSH Terms

Acinar Cells
Alanine Transaminase
Alkaline Phosphatase
Amylases
Animals
Apoptosis*
Bilirubin
Dilatation
Humans
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
Islets of Langerhans
Ligation*
Male
Pancreas*
Pancreatic Ducts
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Alanine Transaminase
Alkaline Phosphatase
Amylases
Bilirubin