Effects of Intra-Abdominal Hypertension on the Endocrine Functions of the Pancreas in Rats

Effects of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum on exocrine and endocrine functions, and oxidative state of rat pancreas

We investigated the effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopy on the endocrine and exocrine functions, oxidative stress and histopathology of the pancreas in rats. We established three experimental groups of eight animals. Group 1 was the untreated control. Forth other two groups, pneumoperitoneum with CO₂ was established for 60 min at 6 mm Hg for group 2 and 12 mm Hg for group 3; groups 2 and 3 animals were allowed to re-perfuse for 30 min. Amylase, glucagon and insulin levels were analyzed in blood samples and insulin:glucagon ratio was calculated. Histopathology and malondialdehyde assay were performed on pancreatic tissue samples. Histological damage scores for vasocongestion were increased significantly in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1. Histological damage scores for inflammatory cell infiltration were increased significantly in group 3 compared to group 1. Malondialdehyde levels were increased significantly in group 3 compared to group 1. We found no significant differences among groups for serum amylase levels or histological damage scores for hemorrhage. Insulin and glucagon levels, and the insulin:glucagon ratio was increased significantly in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2. We found that in rats routine laparoscopy caused increased serum insulin and glucagon levels, and histopathological changes that indicated ischemia-reperfusion injury to the pancreas.