JOURNAL OF SURGICAL RESEARCH 35,73-82 (1983) Low Molecular Weight Dextran in Experimental Pancreatitis: Effects on Pancreatic Microcirculation

Although low molecular weight (LMW) dextran has been said to decrease the lethality of experimental acute pancreatitis (AP) by reversing stasis in the pancreatic microcirculation, the actual mechanism(s) of action is unknown. This investigation was designed to measure the effects of low molecular weight dextran on pancreatic capillary flow (Q,--r) and arteriovenous hunt flow (QAvs), and on pancreatic oxygen consumption (Or&) following bile-trypsin-induced AP in dogs. Total pancreatic blood flow (QT) was measured with an electromagnetic flow probe on the superior pancreaticoduodenal rtery (SPDA). QAvs was measured by liver trapping of 99mTc-aIbumin microspheres after SPDA injection. Qc-r was calculated as QT minus QAvs. Seventeen dogs were treated with lactated Ringer’s (LR) solution at 6.5 ml/kg/hr; 10 dogs were treated with LMW dextran 10 % in normal saline at 1.5 ml/kg/hr plus LR at 5.0 ml/kg/hr. Mean arterial and central venous pressures remained constant hroughout he 4-hr experiment. In the dogs receiving LR only, Qr decreased from 42.7 to 24.4 ml/min (P < 0.001); QAvs remained constant at 1.35 f 0.04 ml/mitt. During the first 30 min O,C, decreased from 1.17 to 0.76 ml Oz/min (P < 0.05) and remained constant thereafter. LMW dextran treatment altered none of these hemodynamic or metabolic parameters ignificantly. Conclusions: bile trypsin AP in the dog causes significant decreases in Qr and QcAp without altering QAvs. The decrease in O&. in association with a constant Q*vs suggests a metabolic block to oxygen uptake at the cellular level. Continuous infusion of LMW dextran at a dose of 1.5 ml/kg/hr in the dog does not reverse these abnormalities