Functioning of whole bone marrow cell population in a model of L-arginine-induced pancreatitis

Objective The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic activity and adherence capacity of the whole bone marrow cell (wBMC) population and changes in bone marrow (BM) architecture after acute pancreatitis (AP) induction. Methods The disease was induced by injecting L-arginine (350 mg/100 g; i.p.). The control animals, animals injected with L-arginine, and animals pre-treated with allopurinol were included in this study. Serum and routine pathohistological analysis were conducted to confirm the induction of AP. The metabolic activity and adherence capacity of wBMC were evaluated in the MTT assay and methylene-blue test, respectively, and the alterations in pancreatic tissue and BM were examined on histological sections. In addition, immunohistochemical expression of β-catenin was assessed in the pancreatic tissue. Results The wBMC adherence capacity and their total number significantly increased after AP induction. The adherence capability of wBMC was reduced in rats pre-treated with allopurinol. There were no statistically significant changes in the metabolic activity of wBMCs. In the BM isolated from AP and allopurinol pre-treated animals, a discrete left shift in granulocytopoiesis was found, with a slight increase in the myeloid-to-erythroid ratio. Conclusions After AP induction, it was shown that wBMCs expressed increased adherence capacity and unchanged metabolic activity, while the alterations in BM may reflect the general activation of myelopoiesis, which would agree with the increased mobilization of mesenchymal stem cells. Also, a significant decrease in β-catenin expression in the pancreatic tissue was noticed.