Experimental models of acute pancreatitis: are they suitable for evaluating therapy?

Since randomized controlled studies of severe acute human pancreatitis can be performed only with restrictions, at least some aspects of innovative therapy concepts should first be clarified in animal experiments. In vitro trials are inadequate for this purpose since they cannot simulate the complex course of severe acute pancreatitis. Animal test results can be transferred to clinical practice if the results are based on trials with established models, standardized methods, and a study design imitating the clinical situation. This contribution discusses the demands on such an animal model of acute pancreatitis and a corresponding study protocol and presents models and protocols which meet these requirements. Concrete examples are presented to show that animal experiments are of great value under these conditions, especially in acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Further standardization of models, protocols, and monitoring should further improve future animal therapy studies at least to the extent that it is possible to select particularly promising substances, which should then be tested in randomized controlled trials.