Does the genetic strain influence severity of acute necrotizing pancreatitis and SIRS in a murine model?

Background: To date, it remains unclear which impact the genetic background has on the severity of acute pancreatitis concerning local and systemic parameters.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of genetic background on the severity of acute necrotizing pancreatitis and systemic inflammatory response in mice.

Materials and methods: We examined 9 strains of male mice: Balb/CB4J, C3 H/HEJ, NOD/SHILT, A/J, AKR/J, C57BI/6J, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, 129S1/SVlm. 10 animals per strain were randomly allotted to even groups of 5 animals. Sterile necrotizing pancreatitis was induced by retrograde injection of 4% taurocholate in the common bile duct, or saline was injected in the same way. After 24 hours, serum, organs, and bronchoalveolar fluid were examined. Statistical significance was assumed for p < 0,05.

Results: Histologically, taurocholate treated animals scored significantly higher than control animals (C). Concordantly, serum lipase and amylase were significantly elevated in the taurocholate groups across all strains. The degree of elevation was strain-specific. NOD/SHILT and AKR/J mice showed significantly higher lipase (4502 ± 1455 and 2828 ± 1161 U/l respectively) and amylase (57180 ± 17863 and 74608 ± 23200 U/l respectively) levels than C57BI/6J, DBA/2J, and FVB/NJ mice

(lipase: 444 ± 198, 436 ± 71, 776 ± 433 U/l respectively; amylase: 14236 ± 5080, 9540 ± 1496, 16292 ± 8286 U/l respectively). Remarkably, C57BL/6J, C3 H/HeJ, and 129S1/SVlm mice showed no significant IL-6 elevation (C: 11,14 ± 6,11 vs. AP:3,28 ± 2,03 pg/ml; C: 0,23 ± 021 vs. AP: 3,78 ± 3,09 pg/ml; C: 160,11 ± 111,8 vs. AP: 685,6 ± 415,95 pg/ml) compared to all other strains. Pulmonary damage didn't vary significantly.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that the genetic background is an important determinant of the severity of acute pancreatitis and systemic inflammatory response in a murine model.