Abnormality Of Pancreatic Cells Apoptosis In Pancreatic Diseases

[Objectives] The pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are still unknown. This study is aimed to evaluate relation of pancreatic cells apoptosis and acute pancreatitis,and discover characters of apoptosis and expression of oncogene proteins in pancreatic cancer tissue. [Methods] (1) Experimental acute edematous pancreatitis (AEP) and acute necrotic pancreatitis (ANP) model were established by intraperitonel administration of cearulein,and injection sodium taurocholate intra-choledochusly. Forty Spragne-Dawley rats were randomly divided into AEP group,ANP group and control groups. The wet weight of pancreases,serum levels of diastase,and pathologic changes of pancreas were measured. Apoptotic acinar cells conformed by morphologic observation and TUNEL surveys,and necrotic areas were estimated in the sections of pancreas. (2) Fifteen pancreatic neoplasm and 5 normal pancreases were involved in the study. Cell apoptosis were determined by morphologic observation and TUNEL survey. Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were detected by immunohistochemistric staining. [Results] (1) Increases in ratio of the wet weight to body weight,serum levels of diastase,and typical pathologic changes were observed in AEP and ANP groups. (2) In AEP animals,high degree of apoptosis of acinar cells but very little necrosis were found. On the contrary,there were very little apoptotic acinar cells but severe necrosis in ANP group. Inverse relation of necrosis and acinar cells apoptosis could be indicated ( P=0.003,r=0.984 ). (3) In pancreatic neoplasm,upregulation of bcl-2 protein with low apoptosis index was observed as compared with normal control. [Conclusion] acinar cellApoptosis may be a beneficial response to acute pancreatitis. Decrease of cell apoptosis,caused by upregulation of bcl-2 protein,may be a key role in mechanism of pancreatic carcinoma.