Comparative Study of Non-invasive Mouse Models of Pancreatitis

Although a relevant animal model is essential for studying human diseases, one has yet to be established for mouse pancreatitis. Early non-invasive models of mouse pancreatitis have serious limitations.

In this study, we compared the efficiency, consistency, and reproducibility of inducing pancreatitis in 3 non-invasive mouse models of pancreatitis in Wistar albino mice: (1) L-arginine-induced model (2 intraperitoneal injections of 4 g/kg body weight of L-arginine spaced 1 h apart), (2) caerulein-induced model (6 intraperitoneal injections of 50 µg/kg body weight of caerulein at hourly intervals), and (3) caerulein + LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced model (6 intraperitoneal doses of 50 µg/kg body weight of caerulein at hourly intervals, along with an LPS [10 mg/kg body weight] injection immediately after the last caerulein injection).

Our findings showed that the L-arginine–induced model was inconsistent. The levels of the pancreatic enzymes, amylase and lipase, were higher in the caerulein and caerulein + LPS groups. Histological examination showed tissue destruction in the induced groups, with varying degrees of fibrosis in the caerulein + LPS group.

The caerulein + LPS model was the most reliable model in Wistar albino mice. Our findings may be useful in helping investigators choose the most appropriate animal model for pancreatitis research.