An experimental model of edematous pancreatitis in pigs was established and measurement of pancreatic macro- and microcirculatory parameters and determinations of pancreatic enzymes (lipase, phospholipase A) and vasoactive mediators (prostanoids, kallikrein, kininogen) were performed. During general anesthesia the pancreas was isolated in situ. Pancreatic microcirculatory parameters were measured using videofluorescence microscopy after iv administration of FITC-Dextran. In hourly collected samples lipase and phospholipase A activities were determined enzymatically, concentrations of kallikrein, kininogen, and selected prostanoids were measured by radioimmunoassay. Two experimental groups were studied: (1) control (n = 9); (2) edematous pancreatitis induced by injection of oleic acid into the pancreatic artery (free fatty acid, ffa; n = 10). The animals were followed up for 6 hr. Systemic hemodynamic parameters remained constant in both groups. In the pancreatitis group pancreatic blood flow and O2-consumption decreased significantly (-55 and -49%), while pancreatic vascular resistance increased significantly (+50%). During baseline conditions 41% of all capillaries were perfused. In the pancreatitis group there were both areas with persistent stasis as well as areas with continuous perfusion. However, in the latter areas the portion of perfused capillaries decreased significantly to 27%. In the control group the portion of perfused capillaries remained constant. Liberation of lipase and phospholipase A especially into lymph and ascites fluid was measured during pancreatitis. Furthermore, considerable releases of kallikrein into lymph (+50%) and ascites (+800%) and a marked consumption of kininogen in lymph (+90%) and in ascites fluid (+80%) were measured. Activation of the arachidonic acid cascade and a significant release of prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 into pancreatic venous blood and lymph was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)