Inhibition of arginase activity ameliorates L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

Introduction: Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 3.5g/kg L-arginine (which induces experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats) will result in much greater increases in serum ornithine vs. citrulline level. This suggests that arginase is the key enzyme in the catabolism of L-arginine. Furthermore, equimolar L-ornithine induces a more severe acute pancreatitis compared to L-arginine. Aim: To test the effects of the irreversible arginase inhibitor (+)-S-2-amino-6-iodoacetamidohexanoic acid (AIHA) on L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis.