Does PGE2 have a beneficial effect on acute experimental pancreatitis in the rat?

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is known to have a cytoprotective effect on the gastric mucosa exposed to a variety of noxious agents. A cytoprotective effect on the pancreas in acute pancreatitis has been postulated, but available evidence is contradictory. Acute experimental pancreatitis was induced in 170 male Wistar rats by retrograde injection of 0.6 ml of 5% Na-taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. PGE2 (0.1 microgram/g rat) was given intraductally, intraperitoneally or subcutaneously before and after induction of pancreatitis. PGE2 had no effect on survival rate, enzyme levels in serum and ascites, or on morphologic damage to the pancreas.