Early association of duodenal contents and blood with acini during experimental pancreatitis.

This study was directed toward understanding the mechanism by which the closed duodenal loop induces experimental pancreatitis. Carbon black was introduced into the duodenal lumen as a tracer before formation of the closed loop. Within four hours, the carbon, marking the location of duodenal contents, had passed retrogradely through pancreatic ducts and broken out to localize at the periphery of acini in various regions of the pancreas. In this periacinar location the tracer was mingled with erythrocytes, neutrophils, platelets, and fibrin. Acinar cells were damaged as the mixed duodenal and blood components passed along their base and between cells. It is concluded that acinar cells are involved very early and directly in the initiation of pancreatitis by this method, and not secondary to ductal inflammation.