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Platelet Function in Acute Experimental Pancreatitis

  • Published:
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by disturbances of pancreatic microcirculation. It remains unclear whether platelets contribute to these perfusion disturbances. The aim of our study was to investigate platelet activation and function in experimental AP. Acute pancreatitis was induced in rats: (1) control (n = 18; Ringer’s solution), (2) mild AP (n = 18; cerulein), and (3) severe AP (n = 18; glycodeoxycholic acid (GDOC) + cerulein). After 12 h, intravital microscopy was performed. Rhodamine-stained platelets were used to investigate velocity and endothelial adhesion in capillaries and venules. In addition, erythrocyte velocity and leukocyte adhesion were evaluated. Serum amylase, thromboxane A2, and histology were evaluated after 24 h in additional animals of each group. Results showed that 24 h after cerulein application, histology exhibited a mild AP, whereas GDOC induced severe necrotizing AP. Intravital microscopy showed significantly more platelet–endothelium interaction, reduced erythrocyte velocity, and increased leukocyte adherence in animals with AP compared to control animals. Thromboxane levels were significantly elevated in all AP animals and correlated with the extent of platelet activation and severity of AP. In conclusion, platelet activation plays an important role in acute, especially necrotizing, pancreatitis. Mainly temporary platelet–endothelium interaction is observed during mild AP, whereas severe AP is characterized by firm adhesion with consecutive coagulatory activation and perfusion failure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, INF 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Thilo Hackert, Dagmar Pfeil, Werner Hartwig, Stefan Fritz, Lutz Schneider, Markus W. Büchler & Jens Werner

  2. Department of Experimental Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Martha-Maria Gebhard

Authors
  1. Thilo Hackert
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  2. Dagmar Pfeil
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  3. Werner Hartwig
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  4. Stefan Fritz
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  5. Lutz Schneider
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  6. Martha-Maria Gebhard
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  7. Markus W. Büchler
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  8. Jens Werner
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Correspondence to Thilo Hackert.

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Hackert, T., Pfeil, D., Hartwig, W. et al. Platelet Function in Acute Experimental Pancreatitis. J Gastrointest Surg 11, 439–444 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-007-0128-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-007-0128-9

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