Effect of indomethacin on the splanchnic blood flow in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To investigate the role of indomethacin on the splanchnic blood flow in severe acute pancrea-titis(SAP) rats and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.Methods Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: indomethacin group(IN group,n=24) and SAP group(n=24).Jejunotomy was performed in all.IN group received indomethacin;SAP group received saline.All groups were subdivided into 2 subgroups;and other 8 normal rats were used as controls.At 12,24 hours after the induction of SAP,12 rats in each group were sacrificed.Serum amylase was measured.The regional pancreatic blood flow was measured by Doppler ultrasound;the blood flow of portal vein,spleen artery and superior mesenteric artery were also measured.Results The level of the serum amylase was lower in the IN group than that in the SAP group(P0.01).The regional pancreatic blood flow was decreased significantly in the SAP group(P0.01),and continued to decrease after 24 h(vs12 h,P0.01).The blood flow of the portal vein,spleen artery and superior mesenteric artery were also decreased in the SAP group.Indomethacin could increase the regional pancreatic blood flow,as well as the blood flow of the portal vein,spleen artery and superior mesenteric artery(vs SAP group,P0.01).Conclusions Enteral administration of indomethacin could increase the splanchnic blood flow in SAP rats.