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Background/Aim: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Aging process has been found to influence the course and outcome of AP. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local and systemic effects of aging on severity of AP in an experimental model.
Methods: AP was induced in male Wistar rats by intraductal 2.5% taurocholate injection and divided into 2 experimental groups: GI (n=20): Young (3 month old rats), and GII (n=20): Older (18 month old rats). Two and 24 hours after AP blood were collected for determinations of amylase, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, glucose, and of plasma ileal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP). TNF-α and IL-6 levels were determined in serum and ascitic fluid. Liver mitochondrial oxidation and phosphorylation and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, and pulmonar myeloperoxidade (MPO) activity were also performed. Bacterial translocation was evaluated by bacterial cultures of pancreas expressed in colony-forming units (CFU) per gram.
Results: A significant increase in serum amylase, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, glucose, I-FABP, and IL-6 levels, and a reduction in serum and ascitic fluid TNF-α levels were observed in the elder group compared to the young group (p<0.05). Liver mitochondrial dysfunction, MDA contents, and pulmonary MPO activity were increased in the older group compared to the young group (p<0.05). Also, a significant increase in positive bacterial cultures obtained from pancreas tissue in older group was significantly increased compared to young rats (p<0.05).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that aging influences the course of acute pancreatitis evidenced by increased local and systemic lesions and the increased in bacterial translocation. These findings may have significant therapeutic implication in the clinical setting.