Bile-pancreatic juice exclusion increases cholinergic M3 and CCK-A receptor expression and interleukin-6 production in ligation-induced acute pancreatitis

Background Using an original model, the Donor Rat Model, we showed that bile-pancreatic juice (BPJ) exclusion from gut exacerbates ligation-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. We also showed that muscarinic cholinergic M3 and CCK-A receptor expression is induced following duct ligation. Increased receptor number potentially could exacerbate cytokine production. We hypothesize that BPJ exclusion is responsible for M3 and CCK-A receptor induction and increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) production. Methods M3 and CCK-A receptor expression and IL-6 production were compared in rat pancreata 1 to 3 hours after duct ligation with or without BPJ replacement. Results Our studies showed that BPJ replacement attenuates duct ligation–induced increases in M3 and CCK-A receptor expression and IL-6 production. Conclusions In this model, BPJ exclusion from gut induces M3 and CCK-A receptor expression and increases IL-6 production. In this experimental corollary of gallstone pancreatitis, BPJ exclusion from gut may play a key role in the mechanism of disease pathogenesis.