Effect of intraductal enterokinase, 5-azacytidine and cycloheximide on pancreatic protein content

Intraductal administration of enterokinase [EK] in animals produces acute pancreatitis. 5-Azacytidine [AZA] and cycloheximide [CYC] protect against acute experimental pancreatitis. There is direct correlation between the pancreatic protein content and pancreatic enzyme content, as most of the pancreatic enzymes are present as proteins. In order to elucidate the mechanism of action of EK, AZA and CYC, we gave these agents introductally to rats and 24 hours later determined the protein content on the homogenized pancreas. EK markedly increased the pancreatic protein content (probably by increasing the proteolytic enzyme content). When EK was given with AZA or CYC, there was no increase in the pancreatic protein content. AZA or CYC significantly decreased the pancreatic protein content.