This article is available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/4/1
[Background] Xanthine oxidoreductase has been proposed to play a role in the development of local and systemic
effects of acute pancreatitis. Under physiologic conditions, the enzyme exists mainly as xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH)
but can be converted by proteolytic cleavage to its superoxide-generating form xanthine oxidase (XOD). In addition to
its intracellular location XDH/XOD is also associated to the polysaccharide chains of proteoglycans on the external
endothelial cell membrane.
In the early stages of acute pancreatitis, this enzyme seems to be arising from its mobilization from the gastrointestinal
endothelial cell surface. Taking into account the ability of α-amylase to hydrolyze the internal α-1,4 linkages of
polysaccharides, we wanted to elucidate the involvement of α-amylase in XDH/XOD mobilization from the
gastrointestinal endothelial cell surface and the relevance of the ascitic fluid (AF) as the source of α-amylase in
experimental acute pancreatitis.
[Methods] Acute pancreatitis was induced in male Wistar rats by intraductal administration of 5% sodium taurocholate.
In another experimental group 3000 U/Kg α-amylase was i.v. administered. The concentrations of XDH, XOD and α-
amylase in plasma and AF and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung have been evaluated. In additional experiments, the effect
of peritoneal lavage and the absorption of α-amylase present in the AF by an isolated intestine have been determined.
[Results] Similar increase in XDH+XOD activity in plasma was observed after induction of acute pancreatitis and after
i.v. administration of α-amylase. Nevertheless, the conversion from XDH to XOD was only observed in the pancreatitis
group. Lung inflammation measured as MPO activity was observed only in the pancreatitis group. In addition peritoneal
lavage prevented the increase in α-amylase and XDH+XOD in plasma after induction of pancreatitis. Finally, it was
observed that α-amylase is absorbed from the AF by the intestine.
[Conclusions] During the early stages of acute pancreatitis, α-amylase absorbed from AF through the gastrointestinal
tract could interfere with the binding of XDH/XOD attached to glycoproteins of the endothelial cells. Proteolytic
enzymes convert XDH into its oxidase form promoting an increase in circulating XOD that has been reported to be one
of the mechanisms involved in the triggering of the systemic inflammatory process.
This work has been supported by FISss grants 01/0949 and PI020286;
S.Granell and M.Genesca are recipients of IDIBAPS predoctoral grants.
Peer reviewed