Background: In acute pancreatitis, two different types of secretory phospholipase A2 (PLA2) have been found: pancreatic type I PLA2 and non-pancreatic type II PLA2. In this study a potent new PLA2 inhibitor effective against type II PLA2 was used in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis.
Methods: In 70 rats the efficacy of the compound was analysed in two experimental models of acute pancreatitis: cerulein- and taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis, imitating mild and severe disease respectively. Serum rat type I PLA2 protein concentration and type I and type II PLA2 catalytic activities were measured while giving the inhibitor therapeutically. In a prophylactic protocol the effect on histology was analysed.
Results: In the taurocholate model, type II PLA2 activity was found to be nine-fold higher than in the cerulein model (P < 0.002), whereas the activity of type I PLA2 was not increased. The inhibitor significantly decreased serum type II PLA2 activity in the taurocholate model of acute pancreatitis (P < 0.05) but type I PLA2 protein concentration and type I PLA2 activity were not affected. The inhibitor also reduced histological tissue damage, with significant differences at 3 and 12 h (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The PLA2 inhibitor significantly reduced type II PLA2 activity and was able to protect the pancreas against tissue damage. PLA2 inhibition offers the possibility of a treatment for acute pancreatitis.