Interactions Between Neutrophils and Platelets in the Progression of Acute Pancreatitis.

Objective: Severe acute pancreatitis is a serious disease, but its detailed mechanism has not yet been elucidated. We aimed to clarify the interaction between neutrophils and platelets in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.

Methods: We induced acute pancreatitis in rats by injection of sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct and killed them over time. We observed the histological changes in pancreatic tissue with special attention to the dynamics of neutrophils and platelets. We also measured the concentrations of neutrophil- and platelet-derived factors in pancreatic tissue and blood samples.

Results: Neutrophils and platelets in the pancreatic tissue showed a similar pattern of migration. They initially spread in the interlobular connective tissue and finally into the lobules. The concentration of myeloperoxidase gradually increased in the inflamed pancreas until 24 hours and the concentration of thromboxane B2, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and CD41 also increased with time. Finally, the concentration of serum myeloperoxidase, citrullinated histone H3, and high-mobility group box 1 increased over time.

Conclusions: The interaction between neutrophils and platelets in pancreatic tissue plays an important role in the mechanism of advancing severity in acute pancreatitis. Circulating damage-associated molecular patterns induced by excessive local inflammation may lead to other organ injuries.