Effect of chronic partial pancreatic duct obstruction on pancreatic duct secretory pressure and permeability in cats.

Pancreatic secretion during pancreatic duct obstruction results in increased duct pressure. The normally impermeable pancreatic duct becomes permeable to macromolecules the size of pancreatic enzymes after secretion against obstruction. Permeability and morphologic changes may be related to increased secretory pressure during obstruction. We obstructed the main pancreatic duct of cats by 25-100% of its luminal diameter in different groups for 2, 7, or 28 days. Permeability to macromolecules of fluoresceinated dextran (FD) was greatest in cats with less than 75% obstruction compared with cats with greater than 75% obstruction regardless of the duration of obstruction. The frequency of permeability to FD decreased significantly as both the degree and duration of obstruction increased. Secretory pressure also changed according to degree and duration of obstruction. The highest pressures were in cats with complete obstruction at 2 days. Pressure decreased as the degree and duration of obstruction increased. Histologic changes such as acinar lobular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis were most severe in cats with the greatest degree and duration of obstruction. Pressure and permeability changes indicate a greater sensitivity to increased duct pressure than previously thought. These observations may clarify the role of pancreatic duct obstruction in pancreatic disease.