IL - 6 has been shown to be involved in diverse physiological processes such as T - cell activation, induction of immunoglobulin secretion, initiation of
hepatic acute phase protein synthesis, and stimulation of hematopoietic precursor cell proliferation and differentiation.
The L - arginine - induced pancreatitis is widely used as a relevant model for pre-clinical trials because 1) it is reproducible, 2) it shows dose and time dependent acinar cell necrosis, 3) it can be used for investigation of early as well as late
phase of
acute pancreatitis, and 4) it is suitable for investigation of extra-pancreatic organ damage (pulmonary,
hepatic renal and circulatory) and insulo - acinar axis [3].