EN
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive disease, in which the exocrine function of the gland is gradually lost and fibrosis develops due to repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis. The detection of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) brings us closer to understanding the pathogenesis of CP. It has been observed that the use of RAS inhibitors reduces hepatic fibrosis. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of RAS inhibitors on fibrotic processes in the course of experimental chronic pancreatitis induced by dibutyltin dichloride (DD). Chronic pancreatitis was induced by administering dibutyltin dichloride to the femoral vein and, simultaneously, captopril, losartan and enalapril which were administered intraperitoneally. The rats were decapitated after 60 days and pancreas tissue was collected for histopathology examination. No pathological changes were observed in the control group. Rats treated by dibutyltin dichloride displayed features of focal inflammatory infiltration, ductal lumen dilatation, fibrosis in the periductal spaces and slight interstitial fibrosis. Animals treated by RAS inhibitor displayed less severe inflammatory changes and fibrosis - particularly those rats treated by enalapril. The findings suggest that enalapril most effectively inhibits inflammatory changes and fibrosis.