Chronic obstructive
pancreatitis-like histological and biochemical alterations were provoked in male Wistar rats with
Ethibloc occlusion of the common bile duct and the main pancreatic ducts. After the disappearance of the glue from the ducts, a gradual and almost total recovery was demonstrated during a 2-month observation period. About 12 g/kg of alcohol (20% vol/vol) given daily by gastric intubation and ad libitum intake inhibited the recovery of pancreatic weight and
enzyme contents in the occluded rats, and within a 2-month period chronic calcifying-type
pancreatitis became evident with some signs of remaining obstructive
pancreatitis-like lesions. Cessation of alcohol administration after 2 months resulted in a recovery of pancreatic weight and
enzyme contents, although morphological regeneration was less pronounced and calcification remained visible in some rats. A 50% raw soy flour diet provoked some further changes in the proportion of
enzymes without any supplementary increases of pancreatic weight and
protein content. This animal model of
chronic pancreatitis demonstrates that chronic obstructive and calcifying
pancreatitis can appear together and earlier if the etiological factors act in combination. Suppression of pancreatic regeneration by alcohol seems to be necessary to maintain
chronic pancreatitis-like lesions and to develop calcification.