Figure 5
From: Mobilization of xanthine oxidase from the gastrointestinal tract in acute pancreatitis
Suggested mechanism of the mobilization of XDH/XOD from the surface of the endothelial cells of gastrointestinal tract during acute pancreatitis: α-Amylase released from the pancreas acts on the polysaccharide chains of the endothelial cells and mobilizes the enzyme, mainly present as XDH. Proteolytic enzymes convert this enzyme into its oxidase form. In addition, acinar cells from the damaged pancreas release xanthine resulting from purine catabolism. Then, the simultaneous presence of xanthine and XOD in the bloodstream constitutes a circulating free radical-generating system that could induce the up regulation of cell adhesion molecules and the inflammatory response in the lungs.