STUDIES ON ELASTASE: Part II. Immunoreactive Elastase Level during Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis in Pigs

The change and role of elastase were studied during acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis in pigs. Experimental pancreatitis were produced by the injection of autologous bile (0.5ml/kg) into main pancreatic duct with high pressure. Blood samples were drawn from femoral and portal veins and thoracic lymph duct up to five hours after the injection of bile. Average normal levels of immunoreactive elastase was 90ng/ml which increased significantly from fifteen minutes after the injection of bile in femoral and portal vein and thoracic lymph duct. Total and free elastase activities in the pancreas of pancreatitis were decreased to about one fourth compared with normal pancreas. A large amount of immunoreactive elastase was found in the ascites. The change of immunoreactive elastase was very similar to amylase, therefore it is difficult for determination of immunoreactive elastase level to diagnose th severity of pancreatitis.