急性坏死性胰腺炎肠粘膜屏障功能障碍及生长激素的作用

目的 探讨急性坏死性胰腺炎（ＡＮＰ）肠粘膜屏障形态和功能的变化及生长激素（ＧＨ）的作用。方法 采用胰胆管内逆行注射５％牛磺胆酸钠溶液诱导大鼠ＡＮＰ。实验分３组：假手术组、ＡＮＰ＋生理盐水（ＮＳ）组、及ＡＮＰ＋ＧＨ组。术后２４h取末端回肠,观察病理形态变化;应用＾１２５Ⅰ－白蛋白测定肠壁通透性;ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ检测胰岛素样生长因子（ＩＧＦ－１）mＲＮＡ表达。结果 ＡＮＰ大鼠肠粘膜间质充血水肿,炎症细胞浸     

一氧化氮对缺氧性肺动脉高压大鼠血浆降钙素基因相关肽？…

目的 探讨一氧化氮（ＮＯ）对缺氧性肺动态高压（ＨＰＨ）大鼠血浆降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）含量的影响。方法 将Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠４０只分为四组：对照组（ｎ＝１０）,缺氧组（ｎ＝１０）,缺氧＋Ｌ－ＮＡＭＥ组（ｎ＝１０）,缺年头＋Ｌ－Ａｒｇ组（ｎ＝１０）。通过Ｐ５０压力传感器测量定四组大鼠肺动脉平均压（ＰＡＭＰ）,缺氧＋Ｌ－Ａｒｇ组的ＰＡＭＰ显著低于缺氧组（Ｐ〈０．０５）;缺氧组的右室（ＲＶ）干重／左室     

脑钠素和N-心钠素对无症状性心力衰竭的诊断价值

脑钠素和Ｎ心钠素对无症状性心力衰竭的诊断价值黄彦生魏经汉魏太星王锦荣附表各组血浆ＢＮＰ和ＮＡＮＰ水平组别ＢＮＰ（ｐｇ／ｍｌ）ＮＡＮＰ（ｐｇ／ｍｌ）ＳＨＦ组９８７２±４８９６＋１３８２２５±５４９５１＋＋ＨＦ组１５０９０±８３６...     

L—精氨酸对低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞凋亡？…

目的 探讨Ｌ－精氨酸（Ｌ－Ａｒｇ）对低氧性肺动脉高压大鼠不同节段肺动脉平滑肌细胞凋亡的影响。方法 将Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠（ｎ＝１９）随机分为对照组（ｎ＝７）、低氧组（ｎ＝６）及低氧＋Ｌ－Ａｒｇ组（ｎ＝６）。经右心导管法测定各组大鼠肺动脉压力和右室（ＲＶ）／左室＋室间隔（ＬＶ＋Ｓ）比值，以分光光度法间接测定血浆一氧化氮（ＮＯ）含量，通过ＴＵＮＥＬ法检测各组大鼠肺动脉压力和右室（ＲＶ）／左室＋室间隔（ＬＶ     

大鼠结缔组织生长因子部分cDNA序列的克隆及其mRNA在实验性 …

目的 克隆出大鼠结缔组织生长因子（ｃｏｎｎｅｃｔｉｖｅ ｔｉｓｓｕｅ ｇｒｏｗｔｈ ＣＴＧＦ）的部分ｃＤＮＡ序列,并观察在实验性肝经大鼠肝脏中ＣＴＧＦ ｍＲＮＡ的表达改变。方法 根据小鼠ＣＴＧＦ ｍＲＮＡ序列设计引物,用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ从大鼠肝脏总ＲＮＡ中扩增出一段４３０ｂｐ的产物,并测定其序列,将１６只雌性Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠随机为胆管堵塞组（ｎ＝８）及假手术组（ｎ＝８）,６周后取大鼠提取总ＲＮＡ,利用     

血吸虫病肝纤维化患者转化生长因子β_1mRNA的水平及其临床意义

目的：研究血吸虫病患者 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆ β１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平及其临床意义。方法：用 Ｒ Ｔ Ｐ Ｃ Ｒ 加 ｄｏｔｂｌｏｔ法测定血吸虫病患者 Ｐ Ｂ Ｍ Ｃ中 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆ β１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平,与肝硬变和肝癌患者作比较,并研究了部分肝脏组织（肝癌患者１６ 例,肝血管瘤患者正常肝组织 ５ 例）中 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆ β１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平与 Ｐ Ｂ Ｍ Ｃ中水平的关系。同时,测定血清中 Ｈ Ａ、 Ｌ Ｎ、 Ｃｏｌ ⅠⅤ和 Ｐ ＣⅢ水平,作为衡量肝纤维化活动与否的指标。结果： Ｐ Ｂ Ｍ Ｃ内 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆ β１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平在晚期血吸虫病患者组（ｎ＝ ２１,１２６±０１４）,肝硬变患者组（ｎ＝ １５,２０５±０８１）和肝癌患者组（ｎ＝ ２５,１８３±１２９）均显著高于正常对照组（ｎ＝ １６,０６２±０４０）（ Ｐ＜ ００５）。其中晚期血吸虫病患者组又显著低于肝硬变患者组或肝癌患者组（ Ｐ＜ ００５）,后两组差异无显著性（ Ｐ＞ ００５）。肝组织与 Ｐ Ｂ Ｍ Ｃ内 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆ β１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平差别无统计学意义（ Ｐ＞ ００５）。血清 Ｈ Ａ、 Ｃｏｌ Ⅳ和 Ｌ Ｎ 异常组的 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆ β１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平显著高于正常组（ Ｐ＜ ００５）。结论： Ｐ     

奥曲肽对急性坏死性胰腺炎炎症介质的调节作用

目的 观察奥曲肽对急性坏死胰腺炎（ＡＮＰ）大鼠肿瘤坏死因子ａ（ＴＮＦａ）、一氧化氮（ＮＯ）和内毒素等炎症介质的影响,并探讨其对ＡＮＰ大鼠的治疗作用。方法 ＳＤ大鼠９３只,随机分为３组：ＡＮＰ生理盐水处理组（ＡＮＰ＋ＮＳ组）、ＡＮＰ奥曲肽治疗组（ＡＮＰ＋奥曲肽组）和假手术组（ＳＯ组）。观察各组大鼠的平均存活时间和存活率、血清淀粉酶活性、腹水量、胰腺系数及病理形态变化;测定血浆内毒素、血清ＴＮＦａ及血     

血吸虫病肝纤维化患者转化生长因子β_1mRNA的水平及其临床意义

目的：研究血吸虫病患者 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆβ１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平及其临床意义。方法：用 Ｒ Ｔ Ｐ Ｃ Ｒ 加 ｄｏｔｂｌｏｔ法测定血吸虫病患者 Ｐ Ｂ Ｍ Ｃ中 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆβ１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平,与肝硬变和肝癌患者作比较,并研究了部分肝脏组织（肝癌患者１６ 例,肝血管瘤患者正常肝组织 ５ 例）中 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆβ１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平与 Ｐ Ｂ Ｍ Ｃ中水平的关系。同时,测定血清中 Ｈ Ａ、 Ｌ Ｎ、 ＣｏｌⅠⅤ和 Ｐ ＣⅢ水平,作为衡量肝纤维化活动与否的指标。结果： Ｐ Ｂ Ｍ Ｃ内 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆβ１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平在晚期血吸虫病患者组（ｎ＝ ２１,１２６±０１４）,肝硬变患者组（ｎ＝ １５,２０５±０８１）和肝癌患者组（ｎ＝ ２５,１８３±１２９）均显著高于正常对照组（ｎ＝ １６,０６２±０４０）（ Ｐ＜ ００５）。其中晚期血吸虫病患者组又显著低于肝硬变患者组或肝癌患者组（ Ｐ＜ ００５）,后两组差异无显著性（ Ｐ＞ ００５）。肝组织与 Ｐ Ｂ Ｍ Ｃ内 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆβ１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平差别无统计学意义（ Ｐ＞ ００５）。血清 Ｈ Ａ、 ＣｏｌⅣ和 Ｌ Ｎ 异常组的 Ｔ Ｇ Ｆβ１ ｍ Ｒ Ｎ Ａ 水平显著高于正常组（ Ｐ＜ ００５）。结论： Ｐ     

胰岛素抵抗在高脂饮食大鼠非酒精性脂肪性肝炎发病中的作用

目的：探讨胰岛素抵抗在大鼠非酒精性脂肪性肝炎（ＮＡＳＨ）发病中的作用。方法：１９只雄性ＳＤ大鼠随机分为高脂饮食模型组（ｎ＝１０）和正常饮食对照组（ｎ＝９）,饲养１２周,根据空腹血糖和胰岛素水平计算空腹胰岛素抵抗指数（ＦＩＲＩ）。结果：且大鼠均发生ＮＡＳＨ,表现为肥胖、高脂血症伴肝细胞大泡性脂肪变性、小叶内炎症细胞浸润和肝细胞坏死。与正常对照组相比,模型组大鼠的空腹血糖（正常对照组：５．６２ｍｍｏｌ     

肝硬变时细胞外基质代谢的血清学研究

目的研究肝纤维化时细胞外基质代谢的血清学变化规律,以及抗肝纤维化治疗的重要性．方法实验对象２６９例分为３个观察组,即正常对照组（ｎ＝３０）ＣｈｉｌｄＡ组（ｎ＝１０３）及ＣｈｉｌｄＢ＋Ｃ组（ｎ＝１６６）．对每例观察对象作血清透明质酸（ＨＡ）,Ⅲ型前胶原肽（ＰⅢＰ）,Ⅳ型前胶原肽（ＰⅣＰ）．层粘蛋白（ＬＮ）水平测定和肝功能有关指标,如ＡＳＴ,ＡＬＴ,甘胆酸（ＣＧ）和吲哚氰绿（ＩＣＧ）潴留率等检测．结果和正常组比较,ＣｈｉｌｄＡ组及ＣｈｉｌｄＢ＋Ｃ组ＨＡ,ＰⅢＰ,ＰⅣＰ,ＬＮ以及ＡＬＴ,ＡＳＴ,ＣＧ,ＩＣＧ潴留率均值呈异常升高（Ｐ＜００１）,但ＣｈｉｌｄＡ组及ＣｈｉｌｄＢ＋Ｃ组间无统计学差异．进一步研究还发现ＰⅢＰ,ＰⅣＰ,ＨＡ以及ＬＮ等血清浓度和ＣＧ,ＩＣＧ潴留率,ＡＳＴ,ＡＬＴ间呈密切正相关,经保肝、利胆等治疗,在血清ＡＳＴ,ＡＬＴ,ＣＧ及ＩＣＧ潴留率好转后ＨＡ,ＰⅢＰ,ＰⅣＰ,ＬＮ的血清水平也呈同向变化．结论部分肝硬变患者,肝纤维化的形成仍很活跃,积极有效的保肝,利胆,抗纤维化治疗十分必要     

谷氨酰胺对急性坏死型胰腺炎大鼠肠道衰竭的治疗作用

目的观察谷氨酰胺(Gln)对急性坏死型胰腺炎(ANP)大鼠肠道衰竭的治疗作用,并探讨其作用机制.方法 Spraque-Dawley 大鼠54只,随机分为假手术组(SO)、ANP组、Gln治疗组(ANP+Gln),每组18只.采用5%牛磺胆酸钠溶液经胆胰管内逆行注射诱导大鼠ANP模型.大鼠中心静脉置管,用微量输液泵输注含等氮、等热卡的氨基酸溶液,ANP+Gln组加入3%丙氨酸-Gln双肽(相当于2%Gln溶液,剂量0.5g·kg-1·d-1).术后24、48、72 h分批处死大鼠并留取标本,分别做肠黏膜组织病理检查,肝、胰、脾、肠系膜淋巴结(MLN)和腹水等组织细菌培养,门静脉血内毒素测定,TUNEL法检测肠黏膜上皮细胞凋亡;逆转录-聚合酶链反应研究肠黏膜组织胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-1)、Gln酶和Gln合成酶mRNA表达.结果 SO组大鼠各组织培养均无阳性细菌,ANP组细菌培养阳性率明显高于SO组,P＜0.05,以MLN阳性率最高;ANP+Gln组细菌培养阳性率则显著低于ANP组,P＜0.05.血浆内毒素在ANP组明显高于SO组(P＜0.05),且随着时间延长而递升;ANP+Gln组血浆内毒素较ANP组显著下降(P＜0.05).ANP组肠黏膜绒毛高度显著低于SO组 (P＜0.05),提示ANP时肠黏膜处于萎缩状态,而ANP+Gln组较SO组则差异无显著性 (P＞0.05).ANP组肠黏膜上皮细胞凋亡指数明显高于SO组(P＜0.05),而ANP+Gln组较SO组差异无显著性(P＞0.05).SO组肠黏膜IGF-1、Gln酶和Gln合成酶 mRNA表达恒定,ANP组三者表达均明显下调,而Gln则能显著上调IGF-1、Gln酶和Gln合成酶 mRNA表达.结论 ANP大鼠肠黏膜屏障处于衰竭状态,并由此导致肠道细菌和内毒素移居.Gln可能通过刺激肠黏膜IGF-1、Gln酶和Gln合成酶 mRNA表达,下调肠黏膜细胞凋亡,从而促进肠黏膜修复,有效地控制ANP并发肠道衰竭.     

氨基胍和泰能对急性坏死性胰腺炎肠道细菌易位的影响

目的 观察氨基胍和泰能对ANP大鼠肠道细菌易位的影响,探讨其防治胰腺感染的效果.方法 50只SD大鼠随机数字法分为对照组、ANP组、氨基胍组、泰能组和氨基胍+泰能组(联合组),各10只.采用胰腺实质均匀注射5%牛黄胆酸钠的方法制作ANP模型,氨基胍组于制模后30min腹腔注射氨基胍100 mg/kg体重;泰能组于制模后6 h腹腔注射泰能60 mg/kg体重;联合组注射2种药.制模后48 h处死大鼠,检测血清淀粉酶和D-乳酸、胰腺组织MPO水平,观察胰腺病理变化,采集胰腺、肝脏、血液、肠系膜淋巴结、腹水行细菌培养.结果 (1)氨基胍组和联合组血清淀粉酶分别为(1173.30±199.73)U/L、(1075.00±200.40)U/L,血清D-乳酸分别为(7.17±1.25)μg/ml、(6.98±1.06)μg/ml,胰腺MPO分别为(0.80±0.07)U/g湿片、(0.78±0.08)U/g湿片,细菌培养平均阳性率分别为20%、16%.较ANP组血清淀粉酶(2234.60±692.06)U/L、血清D-乳酸(12.41±1.78)μg/ml、胰腺MPO(1.59±0.20)U/g湿片、细菌培养平均阳性率60%均有显著改善(P＜0.05);(2)泰能组胰腺MPO为(0.80±0.06)U/g湿片、细菌培养平均阳性率为18%,也较ANP组显著改善(P＜0.05).但泰能组的血清淀粉酶和D-乳酸与ANP组比较无统计学差异;(3)ANP组胰腺实质有片状坏死、间质充血、大量白细胞浸润,而氨基胍组、泰能组、联合组胰腺组织无明显白细胞浸润.结论 氨基胍和泰能能减少ANP大鼠肠道细菌易位,减少SAP胰腺继发感染.     

Intestinal mucosal oxidative damage and bacterial translocation in cirrhotic rats

BACKGROUND: Bacterial translocation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis mainly due to intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Alterations in the functional integrity of the intestinal barrier caused by an increased production of free radical metabolites as a consequence of portal hypertension could also facilitate bacterial translocation in cirrhotic rats. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine intestinal mucosal lipid peroxidation and neutrophil infiltration and their relationship with portal hypertension and bacterial translocation in cirrhotic rats. DESIGN: Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats with cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride, administered by gavage, and eight control rats were included in the study. METHODS: Samples of jejunum, ileum and caecum were obtained by laparotomy for the determination of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase as indexes of lipid peroxidation and neutrophil infiltration, respectively. Samples of ascitic and pleural fluids, mesenteric lymph nodes and ileal stools were obtained for the culture of microoganisms. RESULTS: The concentration of malondialdehyde was significantly higher in ileal and caecal, but not in jejunal mucosa, in cirrhotic rats, mainly in those with ascites (P< 0.01), as compared to control rats (P< 0.01), and in cirrhotic rats with bacterial translocation compared to those without bacterial translocation (P< 0.01). No differences between groups were observed in the concentrations of myeloperoxidase in jejunum, ileum or caecum. A direct correlation between ileal malondialdehyde and portal pressure was observed (P< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cirrhotic rats, particularly those with ascites and bacterial translocation, show increased malondialdehyde levels in ileal and caecal mucosa. These results suggest that mucosal oxidative damage in ileum and caecum could favour bacterial translocation in cirrhotic rats.     

复合益生菌制剂对急性坏死性胰腺炎大鼠的保护作用

背景:肠道细菌易位是重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)时胰腺坏死感染的主要来源,因此保护肠黏膜屏障对SAP的治疗具有重要意义。目的:探讨复合益生菌制剂对急性坏死性胰腺炎(ANP)大鼠肠黏膜屏障和胰腺损伤的保护作用。方法:50只SPF级大鼠随机分为假手术组(n=10)、ANP模型组(n=20)和益生菌干预组(n=20)。采用胰腺被膜下均匀注射牛磺胆酸钠制备ANP模型,干预组术前30 min以双歧杆菌四联活菌片溶液灌胃。术后6 h采集标本,检测血淀粉酶、二胺氧化酶(DAO)、TNF-α水平,观察胰腺组织病理学表现和末端回肠组织超微结构。结果:ANP模型组血淀粉酶、DAO、TNF-α水平和胰腺组织学评分均显著高于假手术组(P<0.05),益生菌干预组各项指标均较ANP模型组有所改善(P<0.05)。假手术组末端回肠黏膜结构完整;ANP模型组回肠黏膜上皮细胞微绒毛萎缩、排列稀疏,细胞间连接松弛;益生菌干预组微绒毛稍稀疏,细胞间连接紧密度较ANP模型组增高。结论:复合益生菌制剂对ANP大鼠具有保护作用,不仅能减轻肠黏膜损伤,保护肠黏膜屏障功能,还能减轻胰腺局部损伤和全身性炎症反应。     

Obstructive jaundice promotes intestinal-barrier dysfunction and bacterial translocation: experimental study

Background Although clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated a correlation between obstructive jaundice and the development of sepsis, the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of biliary obstruction on bacterial translocation as a possible source of infection in cases of obstructive jaundice. Material and Methods Two groups of 12 Wistar rats were examined: rats subjected to common bile duct (CBD) ligation (group A) and rats subjected to a sham operation (group B). After 7 days, blood samples were taken and liver, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) from the ileocecal area were removed, divided into small pieces, and cultured. Quantitative culture results were determined by the number of colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter of homogenate. Bacterial translocation was defined as the presence of a positive culture of MLNs, blood, liver, and/or spleen. Samples for histopathological examination were taken from the mucosa of the ileum and the colon and evaluated for inflammatory and destructive changes. Results There was no evidence of bacterial translocation to MLNs, blood, spleen, or liver detected in any of the 12 sham-operated control rats. In contrast, bacterial translocation was demonstrated in 8 of the 12 CBD-ligated rats (P < 0.01). In all eight cases in which translocation occurred, Escherichia coli were cultured from the MLNs. There were no histological changes in the mucosal samples of the control animals. In the CBD-ligated rats, hyperemia, vacuolization, reduction of goblet cells, decreased mitotic activity, and infiltration by lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) were detected. Cases in which translocation occurred were significantly associated with decreased mitotic activity in the colon (r = −0.5, P < 0.01) and higher infiltration by PMNLs in the ileum (r = −0.62, P < 0.05). Conclusion Obstructive jaundice in a rat model predisposes to bacterial translocation. This suggests a mechanism whereby jaundiced patients are susceptible to septic complication.     

吡格列酮预处理对急性坏死性胰腺炎大鼠模型的影响

目的 探讨吡格列酮预处理对ANP大鼠的影响.方法 54只大鼠采用经胆胰管逆行注射5%牛磺胆酸钠制备ANP模型.大鼠按随机数字法分为ANP组、吡格列酮组和假手术组,各18只.吡格列酮组在制模前2 h腹腔注射0.2%吡格列酮20 mg/kg体重.分别在术后3 h、6 h、12 h处死动物,取血检测血淀粉酶,取胰腺组织观察胰腺大体及组织学变化,分别按Hushes和Kusske标准评分.结果 术后3 h、6 h、12 h,ANP组及吡格列酮组血淀粉酶、胰腺大体病理的Hughes评分和胰腺组织学Kusske评分比假手术组明显升高;吡格列酮组大鼠术后12 h血淀粉酶、胰腺Hughes评分和Kusske评分分别为(2 980±1 080)U/L、4.50±2.07和7.50±1.05,均明显低于ANP组的(7 598±1 072)U/L、7.17±1.47和11.33±1.75(P＜0.01).结论 吡格列酮预处理可降低ANP大鼠血清淀粉酶,减轻胰腺大体、组织学病理改变,说明吡格列酮具有预防ANP的效应.     

Bacterial translocation in cirrhotic rats. Its role in the development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Bacterial translocation occurs in ascitic cirrhotic rats, but its association with ascites infection is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between bacterial translocation and ascites infection in cirrhotic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced to cirrhosis with intragastric CCl4. Ascitic fluid, portal and peripheral blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and spleen samples were cultured before death in those cirrhotic rats with less (group A) or more (group B) than 250 polymorphonuclear neutrophils/mm3 in ascitic fluid, as well as in healthy control rats. Histological examination of jejunum, ileum, and caecum was also performed. Bacterial translocation occurred in 45% of ascitic rats (without differences between groups A and B), but in 0% controls (p = 0.01). Bacterial translocation was associated with positive ascitic fluid culture in 60% of the cases. In all of them the same bacterial species was isolated in both mesenteric lymph node and ascitic fluid. Submucosal caecal oedema (100%), ileal lymphangiectasia (41%), and caecal inflammatory infiltrate (41%) occurred in ascitic rats, the last being associated with ascitic fluid positive culture (p = 0.04). These results suggests that bacterial translocation occurs frequently in ascitic cirrhotic rats, and may play a permissive, but not unique, part in a number of ascites infections. Whether histological changes seen in cirrhotic ascitic rats favour bacterial translocation remains to be elucidated.     

Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase reduces bacterial translocation in a rat model of acute pancreatitis

INTRODUCTION: Translocation of bacteria from the gut into pancreatic necrosis is an important factor in the development of septic complications and mortality in acute pancreatitis. S-methylisothiourea (SMT) is an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor that has been shown to decrease bacteria] translocation in sepsis and thermal injury. AIM: To investigate whether SMT could affect bacterial translocation in acute necrotizing pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Acute pancreatitis was induced in Group I and Group II by injection of taurocholate and trypsin into the common biliopancreatic duct. Group III underwent laparotomy with the manipulation (but not cannulation) of the pancreas and received saline injection. Group I rats received normal saline as a placebo, and Group II rats received SMT after surgery for 2 days. At 48 hours, blood was drawn for serum amylase determinations. Bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes and distant sites (pancreas, liver, and peritoneum) were examined. A point scoring system of histologic features was used to evaluate the severity of pancreatitis. RESULTS: Plasma amylase levels and pancreatic histologic score were significantly reduced in Group II rats given SMT compared with those in Group I rats given saline (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). All Group I rats had bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes compared with 7 of 12 rats in Group II (p < 0.05). There was no difference in bacterial translocation to distant organs between the two groups, although rates tended to be lower in Group II compared with Group I (p > 0.05). Bacterial counts in the pancreas were significantly reduced in Group II rats compared with those in Group I rats (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment with SMT appears to have ameliorated the course of acute pancreatitis; however, mortality was not affected.