Objective: To investigate pancreatic ischemia and abnormal metabolism of eicosanoids in acute haemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis (AHNP) and the effects of emodin or sandostatin on them. Methods: In rats with AHNP triggered with sodium taurocholate

the pancreatic blood flow (PBF) was detected with computerized tissue blood flowmeter

and plasma thromboxane B2(TXB2)

6-keto-prostaglandin Fla(6-keto-PGF1a) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) were determined with radioimmunoassay. Results: There was a significant decrease of PBF in the early stage of AHNP. Compared with that in the non-treated group

significant improvement of PBF was demonstrated in emodin as well as in sandostatin group which showed reduced PBF following infusion of sandostatin before AHNP was triggered. In the non-treated group

plasma TXB2 was significantly higher

with an increase of 4.5 times

than that in sham-operated group

while 6-keto-PGF1a and PGE2 tended to decrease. The above mentioned abnormal metabolism of eicosanoids was blocked either in emodin or in sandostatin group in which lessened damage of acinar cells was shown by pathologic scoring or transmission electron microscope. Both groups shared significantly lower mortalities than the non-treated group. Conclusions: Either emodion or sandostatin could partly reverse the decrease of PBF in the early stage of AHNP

which may be ascribed at least in part to inhibition of abnormal metabolism of eicosanoids and improvement of pancreatic cytoprotection

and combined application of the two drugs is likely to have synergetic action.