Pancreatic proteases and oxygen-derived free radicals in acute ischemic enteropathy.

The specific susceptibility of the intestinal mucosa to low blood flow states is related to the "physiologic" makeup of the intestinal milieu. Pancreatic proteases appear to play a crucial role in the ischemic autodigestion of the intestinal mucosa. Moreover, trypsin can activate the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase into superoxide radicals producing xanthine oxidase. Oxygen-derived free radicals account for at least part of the damage to the postischemic intestinal mucosa.