Experimental Acute Pancreatitis

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Abstract
A canine model was devised to measure the O2 consumption of the pancreas in experimentally induced pancreatitis. Over the 120 min investigation period the O2 consumption fell by 63% in the presence of a diminishing pancreatic blood flow and constant arteriovenous percentage saturation across the pancreas. Dextran 40 had been previously shown to maintain the pancreatic circulation. Accordingly, a 2nd group of dogs was treated with Dextran 40 (1.5 ml/kg) 60 min after induction of the pancreatitis. This produced a significant increase in the pancreatic O2 consumption and widening of the arteriovenous difference. Dextran 40 appears to reverse the hypoxia of the pancreas noted in acute experimental pancreatitis.