Somatostatin in the treatment of established and severe acute pancreatitis in the rat]

The effects of somatostatin (SS) on the treatment of acute pancreatitis were studied in rats. Acute pancreatitis was established by injecting 5% sodium taurocholate in the biliopancreatic duct. Previously, pancreatic necrosis was determined in this experimental model at several intervals without treatment. Treatment was started according different groups: at 12, 16 and 20 hours after induction of acute pancreatitis (IV bolus of 4 ug/kg body weight followed by a 24h continuous infusion of 4 ug/kg body wt/hour). When somatostatin was initiated at 12 or 16h a decrease in serum amylase and lactodehydrogenase was observed, as well as in pancreatic necrosis resulting in 0% mortality after 24h of treatment. When somatostatin was started at 20h there was no changes in the lethal outcome of the disease.