Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of different methods of L-arginine injection on acute pancreatitis model mice. Methods Mice suffering from acute pancreatitis were induced by different pH values and different doses of L-arginine, then mortality was calculated, and plasma amylase activity was detected by starch-iodine colorimetry, and pancreas and lung tissue injury severity was observed by paraffin section of HE staining at the time of 2, 4, 12, 24 h after last injection. Results Mortality in pH11 high-dose group was 100% at 2 h, and mice in other groups all survived. Compared with the control group, the plasma amylase activity and pancreas pathological score were significantly increased in all model groups (P<0.001).Compared with the other model groups, pancreas and lung tissue injury was the most severe in pH7 high-dose group. Conclusion The pH value and dosage of L-arginine solution have significant impacts on the degree of pancreatic injury. Acute pancreatitis mice model induced by 2 i.p. injections of L-arginine (400 mg/kg body weight) in 0.9% sodium chloride (pH7) at 1-hour intervals was the most severe compared with the other model groups, and with high survival rate.

Key words: mice, L-arginine, acute pancreatitis, animal model