Hepatic involvement in pancreatitis-induced lung damage

The liver participates in acute pancreatitis-induced inflammatory changes in lung arachidonic acid metabolism and oxidative stress. Histopathological analysis indicates that liver activation enhances plasma phospholipase A2 activity. Lung prostacyclin and thromboxane B2 synthesis increase, whereas lung superoxide dismutase activity reduces, 12 hrs after the initiation of pancreatitis. The portocaval shunt inhibits metabolic alterations and improves inflammatory activities in lungs.