Pathological and ultrastructural changes of Adrenal Cortex and their association with Adrenal insufficiency in a Rat Model of Severe Acute Pancreatitis

Liu et al: Adrenal Cortex Changes and Insufficiency in Severe Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory disease characterized by pancreatic tissue self digestion, which leads to local pancreatic injury or systemic inflammatory response. The mortality of acute pancreatitis is high, up to 36-50%, which seriously threatens the life safety of patients. During the development of SAP, multiple extra pancreatic organs may be involved in the early stage, and the kidney is one of the most frequently affected organs. Early detection of renal function, early diagnosis and treatment of SAP can reduce the mortality. Here, we have explored the pathological and ultrastructural changes of adrenal gland in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) as well as the mechanism and treatment of SAP affecting adrenal function. The results showed that the mortality of so group was 3.6% and that of SAP group was 27%. The injury and secretion function of adrenocortical cells were decreased in SAP. Intracellular calcium as well as the disturbance of pancreatic microcirculation plays an important role in the occurrence and development of SAP. Hence, the level of calcium ions helps in predicting the prognosis in SAP patients.