Effect of buprenorphine on pancreatic enzyme synthesis and secretion in normal rats and rats with acute edematous pancreatitis

Pancreatic enzyme secretion is inhibited during acute pancreatitis, resulting in an increase in acinar zymogen content. Since the premature activation of zymogens has been assigned a central role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, minimizing the amount of stored zymogens might lead to less severe acute pancreatitis. Inhibition of enzyme synthesis or stimulation of enzyme secretion would result in reduction of zymogen stores. Opiates have a varying effect on pancreatic secretion, depending on the dosage, site of administration, and presence of pancreatic stimulants. The effect of opiates and acute pancreatitis on individual pancreatic enzyme synthesis is unknown. The following study was undertaken in order to examine the effects of an opiate on pancreatic enzyme secretion and synthesis during experimental acute pancreatitis. Four groups of rats were studied. Group I received cerulein (25 μg/kg); group II received an opiate, buprenorphine (BPN, 0.5 mg/kg); and group III received cerulein and BPN. Drugs were dissolved in gelatin/saline and injected subcutaneously. A control group (group IV) received only gelatin/saline. Rats were sacrificed 4 hr after injection, and pancreatic mass was measured. Pancreatic acini were prepared and assayed for amylase and DNA content. Amylase, trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen and lipase synthesis, and amylase secretion were measured for 2 hr. Results showed that, compared to controls, acini of rats with AP had increased amylase content, a finding consistent with decreased in vivo amylase secretion. Total protein and individual enzyme synthesis rates were significantly lower in the acini of the rats with AP than in those of the controls. Negative feedback inhibition of enzyme synthesis due to the increased stores of intracellular enzymes may account for these findings. BPN reduced pancreatic edema in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP). Acinar amylase content of rats with AP treated with BPN was significantly lower than in acini of rats with AP. As amylase secretion was lower in the AP + BPN rats, the reduced acinar amylase content was probably solely due to the reduction in enzyme synthesis observed in the AP + BPN rats. The results suggest that BPN may have a moderating effect on the development of AP. © 1994 Plenum Publishing Corporation.