A mouse model of necrotic biliary pancreatitis induced by combining gallstone formation and ligation of the biliary-pancreatic duct

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of the present investigation is to develop a mouse model of biliary pancreatitis with characteristics of both gallstone formation and pancreatitis, mimicking the human etiology and pathphysiological character.\n\nDesignMale C57BL/6 mice were fed with chow, high fat/cholesterol and lithogenic diet for 12 weeks respectively. Laparotomy was done followed by ligation of pancreatic duct (PD), bile duct and pancreatic duct (BPD), or sham operation.\n\nResultsLittle or no evidence of pancreatitis was observed in PD group of mice fed with chow or high fat/cholesterol diet, or in the tail of pancreata removed from animals fed with lithogenic diet. In the head of pancreas, pancreas damage was dramatically more severe in the lithogenic group. When bile reflux was blocked by BPD, pancreas damage markedly reduced to level of chow diet group. The lithogenic diet group also developed significantly more severe multi organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in the lung, kidney and liver. The severity of pancreatitis is associated with persistent high bile level of cholesterol and bile acid after obstruction of the biliary-pancreatic duct. Cholesterol crystal aggravated injury of pancreatic acinar cells caused by taurocholate. After obstruction of the biliary-pancreatic duct, in the lithogenic diet group, liver Abcg8 and Cyp7a1 was up-regulated, compared to the control group.\n\nConclusionWe developed a mouse model of severe biliary pancreatitis in both local pancreas damage and MODS. This model provides a sound explanation for the Opie theory dilemma and a potential therapeutical direction in clinical practice as well.\n\nSummary statementA biliary pancreatitis has characters of both gallstone and pancreatitis, mimicking human etiology and pathophysiology, which gave a clear answer to the long time Opie theory dilemma.