Abstract

Background—Two different types of secretory phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), pancreatic group I (PLA₂-I) and non-pancreatic group II (PLA₂-II), have been identified and postulated to be associated with the pathogenesis of various diseases, such as acute pancreatitis, septic shock, and multiple organ failure.

Aims—To investigate the type of secretory PLA₂ responsible for its catalytic activity found in plasma and ascites of experimental acute pancreatitis.

Methods—Acute pancreatitis of differing severity was induced by the injection of different concentrations (1% or 10%) of sodium deoxycholate (DCA) into the common biliopancreatic duct in rats, and catalytic PLA₂ activity in plasma and ascites were differentiated by anti-PLA₂-I antibody and specific inhibitor of PLA₂-II. Survival rate and plasma amylase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also measured.

Results—In 1% and 10% DCA induced acute pancreatitis, plasma amylase values as well as PLA₂activity in ascites were greatly increased. PLA₂ activity in plasma was also notably increased in 10% DCA induced acute pancreatitis, but not in 1% DCA induced acute pancreatitis. PLA₂-I specific polyclonal antibody significantly inhibited PLA₂ activity in ascites but not that in plasma. In contrast, plasma PLA₂ activity was completely suppressed by PLA₂-II specific inhibitor. In addition, a high mortality (93% at five hours) and a significant increase in plasma AST and ALT were noted in 10% DCA induced pancreatitis.

Conclusion—Ascites PLA₂ activity is mainly derived from PLA₂-I, whereas plasma PLA₂activity is mostly derived from PLA₂-II in severe acute pancreatitis, suggesting that increased plasma PLA₂-II activity might be implicated in hepatic failure arising after severe acute pancreatitis.