This study evaluated the role of free fatty acids in the serum in experimental acute pancreatitis and the correlation between this factor and histopathological changes in the pancreas. The present study involved 133 rats (male, Wistar). The animals were divided into three groups: 15 non-operated rats (Z), 35 - control animals (OK), and 83 rats (OP) which were injected with sodium taurocholate into the bile-pancreatic duct to induce acute pancreatitis (AP). After 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours the rats were necrotized to obtain samples for biochemical and histopathological examinations. Increased concentrations of free fatty acids in the serum were observed in each period of this study. In group Z the mean FFA concentration in blood serum was 296.5&plusm;16.9 mmol/l, in group OK it was 543.9±19.2, and in group OP it was 926.5±23.4 mmol/l. The FFA concentration in group OK was, on average, about 247.4 mmol/l higher as compared to group Z and the difference was statistically significant; the level of FFA in group OP was, on average, about 382.6 mmol/l higher than in group OK and this difference was also highly significant. Under light microscopy, single early necrotic sites in the pancreas were visible between the 6th and 12th hours. The most advanced histopathological changes and frank necrosis were observed 24 hours after AP induction. However, there was no correlation between FFA concentrations and the extent and intensity of histopathological changes in the pancreas.

Keywords: free fatty acids, acute pancreatitis