Effects of octreotide on acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rabbits

Short-term protective effect of octreotide on the lungs of rats with experimentally induced sepsis

BACKGROUND

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a devastating complication of severe sepsis. Preclinical models suggest that direct lung injury begins with attack to the lung epithelium, but indirect lung injury results from systemic endothelial damage due to inflammatory mediators. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of octreotide on lungs in a surgically induced sepsis model in rats.

METHODS

We used 32 male Sprague Dawley rats and divided into four groups. Group 1: Normal (non-operative and orally fed control, n=8); Group 2: Sham operated (n=8); Group 3: Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) (untreated group, n=8); and Group 4: CLP and 100 µg/kg octreotide i.p. (n=8). For sepsis, CLP procedure was performed on 16 rats to induce a sepsis model. All groups were analyzed, their blood was taken for arterial blood gas analysis. For histological examination, lung tissues were removed and sections were prepared.

RESULTS

In histological examination, if we compare CLP + Octreotide with only CLP group in CLP + Octreotide group decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in alveolar and interstitial area as well as edema, bleeding, when CLP group was compared with octreotide group, all histopathological parameters improved significantly and the severity index decreased from 3 to 1. For arterial blood gas, when CLP and octreotide groups were compared with CLP group, it was observed that there was a significant change in favor of healing and that they almost came up to controls and sham group.

CONCLUSION

It could be hypothesized that it would be beneficial to administer octreotide for ameliorate lung injury state in sepsis patients.

Effects of diclofenac sodium and octreotide on treatment of caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice

BACKGROUND

Research continues to develop novel therapeutic modalities that particularly focus on the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. This study aimed to assess the effects of diclofenac sodium and octreotide, alone or in combination, on pancreatic enzymes, pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity, histopathology and apoptosis of pancreas cells, using a model of experimentally induced acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to demonstrate effects of diclofenac sodium, octreotide and their combined use on pancreatic enzymes, activity of pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, histopathology and apoptosis of pancreas on treatment of caerulin-induced experimental acute pancreatitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Caerulin-induced acute pancreatitis model was created using a total of 58 male BALB-C mice of 25 gr in seven groups. Serum amylase, lipase levels and pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity were examined as well as apoptotic values in pancreatic acinar cells through TUNNEL method. Histopathology of pancreas was evaluated for presence of edema, hemorrhage, parenchymal necrosis, fat necrosis, leukocyte infiltration, and fibrosis.

RESULTS

In the diclofenac sodium group, apoptotic values in the pancreatic acinar cells were found to be statistically lower than in the acute pancreatitis group in terms of parenchymal necrosis and hemorrhage scores (P = 0.007, P = 0.002, and P = 0.052, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found in serum level of amylase, lipase, pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity and the other histopathological scores (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Diclofenac sodium, a cost-effective agent with a favorable side-effect profile, may represent a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Findings of this study suggest a better efficacy for diclofenac sodium monotherapy as compared to octreotide alone or octreotide/diclofenac combination.

The antioxidant profiles, lysosomal and membrane enzymes activity in patients with acute pancreatitis

Oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, play an important role in the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis. The study was aimed to assess the degree of the pro/antioxidative imbalance and estimate which antioxidant plays a role in the maintenance of pro/antioxidative balance during acute pancreatitis. The study was investigated in the blood of 32 patients with acute pancreatitis and 37 healthy subjects. IL-6 concentration as early marker of inflammation was determinated. The intensity of oxidative stress was assessed by TBARS concentration. To investigate antioxidative status, the GPx and Cu/Zn SOD activities and the levels of GSH, MT, SH groups, and TRAP were measured. The concentrations of Cu and Zn as ions participating in the maintenance of antioxidant enzymes stability and playing a role in the course of disease were determinated. The activities of GGT, AAP, NAG, and β-GD as markers of tissue damage were also measured. An increase in IL-6 concentration, which correlated with Ranson criteria, and an increase in GPx activity, levels of MT, TBARS, or GGT, and NAG activities in patients group compared to healthy subjects were demonstrated. A decrease in GSH level in patients group compared to control group was noted. The studies suggest that GPx/GSH and MT play the role of the first line of defence against oxidative stress and pro/antioxidant imbalance in the course of acute pancreatitis.

The effects of resveratrol on tissue injury, oxidative damage, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute inflammatory condition that results from the digestion of pancreatic tissue by its own enzymes released from the acinar cells. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol on oxidative damage, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and tissue injury involved with AP induced in a rat model using sodium taurocholate (n = 60). There were three treatment groups with 20 rats per group. Groups I and II received 3% sodium taurocholate solution, while group III underwent the same surgical procedure yet did not receive sodium taurocholate. In addition, group II received 30 mg/kg resveratrol solution. Rats were sacrificed at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h time points following the induction of AP. Blood and pancreatic tissue samples were collected and subjected to biochemical assays, Western blot assays, and histopathologic evaluations. Resveratrol did not reduce trypsin levels and prevent tissue damage. Resveratrol prevented IκB degradation (except for 6 h) and decreased nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), activator protein-1 (AP-1) (except for 24 h), and levels of TNF-α, IL-6 (except for 24 h), and iNOS in the pancreatic tissue at all time points (P < 0.05). Serum nitric oxide (NO) levels were reduced as well (P < 0.05). Thus, we concluded that resveratrol did not reduce trypsin levels and did not prevent tissue injury despite the reduction in oxidative damage and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels detected in this model of AP.

Protective effect of exogenous IGF-I on the intestinalmucosal barrier in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) can result in intestinal mucosal barrier (IMB) dysfunction. This study was undertaken to demonstrate the effect of IGF-I on the intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with SAP and its possible mechanisms.

METHODS

Seventy-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a sham operation (SO group, n=24), a SAP group not treated with IGF-I (SAP group, n=24), and a SAP group treated with IGF-I (IGF-I group, n=24). SAP was induced in the rats by injecting 5.0% sodium taurocholate into the biliary-pancreatic duct. The SO rats were given an infusion of normal saline instead. The rats in the IGF-I group underwent the SAP procedure and were given a subcutaneous injection of IGF-I at 30 minutes before the operation and at 3 hours after the operation. Eight rats in each group were sacrificed at 6, 12 and 24 hours after operation. Apoptosis of mucosal cells in the small intestine was determined by TUNEL. The levels of endotoxin and DAO and serum amylase were also measured. Pathologic changes in the small intestine were monitored. Changes of bax and bcl-2 mRNA expression in the small intestine were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

The levels of serum amylase were lower in the IGF-I group than in the SAP group at all three time points (P<0.05). The levels of endotoxin in the IGF-I group were higher than those in the SAP group at 6 hours, but lower in the IGF-I group than in the SAP group at 12 and 24 hours (P<0.05). The levels of diamine oxidase were higher in the IGF-I group at 6 hours but lower than those in the SAP group at 12 and 24 hours. The pathological score of the small intestine was lower in the IGF-I group than in the SAP group, and the difference was statistically significant at 12 and 24 hours. The pathologic changes observed under electron microscopy were better in the IGF-I group than those in the SAP group. The apoptosis index of intestinal epithelial cells was significantly decreased in the IGF-I group compared with the SAP group. Compared with the SO group, the mRNA expression levels of bax were increased at each time point in the SAP group, and were significantly decreased in the IGF-I group as compared with the SAP group at each time point (P<0.05). The expression levels of bcl-2 were weak and not different between the SO group and the SAP group (P>0.05). They were significantly increased in the IGF-I group versus the SO and SAP groups (P<0.05). The ratio of bax and bcl-2 mRNA expression levels at each time point in the SAP group were significantly higher than those in the SO group, but they were obviously decreased in the IGF-I group.

CONCLUSIONS

Exogenous IGF-I seems to protect mucosal cells in the small intestine against SAP-induced apoptosis and could alleviate SAP-induced injury of the intestinal mucosa. The underlying mechanisms include enhanced mRNA expression of bcl-2 and inhibition of bax mRNA expression.

Effect of diet supplemented with quinoa seeds on oxidative status in plasma and selected tissues of high fructose-fed rats

Oxidative stress plays an important role as a mediator of damage produced by fructose metabolism. This work was designed to investigate the effect of diet supplemented with quinoa seeds on oxidative stress in plasma, heart, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, testis and pancreas of fructose administered rats. Fructose administration (310 g/kg fodder for 5 weeks) caused oxidative stress that was manifested by the increase in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.05), and by the non-significant changes in the enzymatic antioxidant potential in plasma and most of tissues. Co-administration of quinoa seeds (310 g/kg fodder) maintained normal activities of some enzymes. It also influenced the oxidative stress as was evidenced by decreasing MDA in plasma, and decreasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (erythrocyte superoxide dismutase - eSOD, catalase -CAT, plasma glutathione peroxidase - pGPX). These findings demonstrate that quinoa seeds can act as a moderate protective agent against potential of fructose-induced changes in rats by reducing lipid peroxidation and by enhancing the antioxidant capacity of blood (plasma) and heart, kidney, testis, lung and pancreas.

Acute pancreatitis, bacterial translocation, and different octreotide regimens: an experimental study

PURPOSE

To determine the effect of octreotide, octreotide with zinc, levamisole, and misoprostol on the bacterial translocation that develops in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODS

A total of 36 rats were divided into six groups, each consisting of six rats. Only laparotomy was performed on the first group. Acute pancreatitis was performed on the second group. Octreotide was given to the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth groups. Octreotide, octreotide with zinc, levamisole, and misoprostol were given to groups III, IV, V, VI, respectively. Rats were euthanized 48 h after the occurrence of AP. Blood and mesenteric lymph node samples were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Pancreatic tissue and terminal ileum were obtained for histopathological examinations.

RESULTS

The severity of pancreatitis and mucosal damage of the terminal ileum was higher in group II than groups I, III, IV, V, and VI, histopathologically (P < 0.05). There wasn't a significant difference with respect to OA with Zn or L or M and OA group (P > 0.05). A significant difference was found in PCR positivity in blood and mesenteric lymph node between groups I and II (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In AP, administering octreotide alone significantly prevented the bacterial translocation by preventing mucosal damage. The zinc, levamisole, or misoprostol with octreotide did not influence the results.

Randomized study of the effect of pentoxifylline or octreotide on serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

OBJECTIVES

To study the effect of pentoxifylline and octreotide administration on serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, in patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), whether they developed pancreatitis or not.

METHODS

Out of 590 patients undergoing ERCP, 30 who developed pancreatitis and 25 who did not (controls) were enrolled. Pentoxifylline was given to 23 patients (15 with and eight without pancreatitis) and octreotide to 19 patients (nine with and 10 without pancreatitis, respectively). Thirteen patients did not receive any preventive medication (six with and seven without pancreatitis, respectively). Blood samples were collected at baseline, 6 and 24 h after ERCP.

RESULTS

IL-6 increased significantly in patients with pancreatitis at the 6 h (4.2 pg/ml SD: 5.8) and at the 24 h (6.6 pg/ml SD: 9.8) compared with patients without pancreatitis at the 6 h (2.1 pg/ml SD: 3.6) and 24 h (1.9 pg/ml SD: 2.5) (P < 0.01). No significant difference in the values of TNF-alpha and IL-6 obtained among the three study groups in patients with or without pancreatitis was observed. TNF-alpha levels at the 24 h were lower than baseline in patients with pancreatitis who received octreotide (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

IL-6 increased in the first 24 h of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Pentoxifylline and octreotide cannot prevent IL-6 elevation but octreotide reduces TNF-alpha levels, which may have an impact on the severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Influence of baicalin and octreotide on NF-kappaB and p-selectin expression in liver and kidney of rats with severe acute pancreatitis

To observe the influence of Baicalin and Octreotide on liver and kidney of rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and discuss the related mechanism. SAP rats were randomly divided into model control, Baicalin treated and Octreotide treated group (n = 45). The same number of normal rats were included in sham-operated group (n = 45). In all groups, the mortality rate, pathological changes as well as expression levels of NF-kappaB p65 and P-selectin protein in liver and kidney were observed at 3, 6 and 12 h after operation. The survival rate of treated group was 100% at 12 h significantly higher than that of model control group (P < 0.05). The pathological changes of liver and kidney in treated groups were alleviated to different degrees, the NF-kappaB protein expression levels and pathological severity scores in liver and kidney of treated groups were significantly lower than those of model control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). The hepatic P-selectin protein expression level in Baicalin treated group was significantly lower than that of model control group at 3 h (P < 0.01), and renal P-selectin expression level in Baicalin treated group at 3 and 6 h were significantly lower than those of model control group and Octreotide treated group (P < 0.01). (1) Early treatment with Baicalin or Octreotide have obvious protecting effects on liver and kidney injuries in SAP with their mechanisms associated to inhibiting NF-kappaB and P-selectin expression of liver and kidney. (2) Comparing the pharmacologic effects of Octreotide and Baicalin, we believe Baicalin as a new drug with its protecting effects on liver and kidney of SAP rats similar to Octreotide is worth further studying. (3) The advantages of tissue microarrays in pathological examination include time and energy saving and highly efficient. But the restriction of small diameter weakens the representation of tissues to various extents, which may lead to the deviation of analysis.

Role of oxidative stress in pancreatic inflammation

Reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Clinical and basic science studies have indicated that ROS/RNS formation processes are intimately linked to the development of the inflammatory disorders. The detrimental effects of highly reactive ROS/RNS are mediated by their direct actions on biomolecules (lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids) and activation of proinflammatory signal cascades, which subsequently lead to activation of immune responses. The present article summarizes the possible sources of ROS/RNS formation and the detailed signaling cascades implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic inflammation, as observed in acute and chronic pancreatitis. A therapeutic ROS/RNS-scavenging strategy has been advocated for decades; however, clinical studies examining such approaches have been inconsistent in their results. Emerging evidence indicates that pancreatitis-inducing ROS/RNS generation may be attenuated by targeting ROS/RNS-generating enzymes and upstream mediators.

Study on protecting effects of Baicalin and Octreotide on hepatic injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

AIM: To investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of Baicalin and Octreotide on hepatic injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODS: The SAP rat models were prepared and randomly assigned to the model control group, Baicalin treated group, and Octreotide treated group while other healthy rats were assigned to the sham-operated group. Rat mortality, levels of ALT, AST, liver and pancreas pathological changes in all groups were observed at 3, 6 and 12 h after operation. Tissue microarray (TMA) sections of hepatic tissue were prepared to observe expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2 protein and Caspase-3, and changes of apoptotic indexes.

RESULTS: Rat survival at 12 h, expression levels of Bax, Caspase-3 protein and apoptotic indexes of liver were all significantly higher in treated groups than in model control group. While the liver and pancreas pathological scores, contents of ALT, AST, and expression levels of Bcl-2 protein were all lower in treated groups than in the model control group.

CONCLUSION: Both Baicalin and Octreotide can protect rats with SAP by decreasing the contents of ALT, AST and expression levels of Bcl-2 protein, and improving the expression levels of Bax protein, Caspase-3 protein, and inducing apoptosis.

Protective effects of baicalin and octreotide on multiple organ injury in severe acute pancreatitis

PURPOSE

To discuss the application value of Baicalin which is a new drug by comparing the protecting effects of Baicalin and Octreotide on multiple organs (pancreas, liver, kidney, and lung) in Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODS

The improved Aho method was adopted to prepare SAP rat models via retrograde injection of 3.5% sodium taurocholate to the pancreatic duct. The 135 SAP rat models after being prepared were randomly divided into the model group, Baicalin treatment group and Octreotide treatment group with 45 rats in each group; another 45 were selected to be the sham operation group, which only received abdomen opening surgery. The groups were then randomly divided into 3 h, 6 h and 12 h groups with 15 rats in each group, 10 min after successful modeling, the Baicalin treatment group was first injected with a 5% Baicalin injection at a dose of 10 mg/100 g via external jugular-vein passage followed by continuous intravenous administration (10 mg/h/100 g) by microinfusion pump; the Octreotide treatment group was first injected by Octreotide at a dose of 0.2 ug/100 g via external jugular-vein passage followed by continuous intravenous transfusion (10 mg/h/100 g) by microinfusion pump at a transfusion speed of 0.2 ug/h/100 g. The sham operation group and model group were injected with saline of equivalent volume at the corresponding time points after operation. The following observations were carried out 3, 6 and 12 h after operation: (1) mortalities of all rat groups followed by batch execution of rats and observation of the gross pathological changes of multiple organs; (2) observation of the pathological changes of multiple organ samples fixed according to the relevant requirements after HE staining; and (3) serum content of amylase, NO, malonaldehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha).

RESULTS

(1) The survival rate of the sham operation group and all treatment groups was 100%, whilst the 12 h survival of the model group was 66.67% (10/15), indicating a significant difference (P < 0.05). (2) The gross pathological changes and changes under light microscopy of multiple organs aggravated with time after modeling. The pathological changes of all treatment groups were milder than those of the model group at different time points by various degrees, most obviously at 6 h and 12 h. The gross pathological changes showed a similarity between the Octreotide and Baicalin treatment groups in terms of the pathological changes of pancreatic tissue. The therapeutic effects of Octreotide on kidney and lung were superior to those in the Baicalin treatment group while the pathological manifestations of the Baicalin treatment group were superior to those of the Octreotide treatment group. (3) There was no marked difference between the Baicalin and Octreotide treatment groups in terms of plasma amylase levels at all time points (P > 0.05). Although the plasma amylase levels of the Baicalin treatment group were lower than those of the model group at all time points, the levels in the Baicalin treatment group were significantly lower than those in the model group only at 3 h (P < 0.05), and there was no marked difference in the levels between the Baicalin treatment group and model groups at 6 and 12 h (P > 0.05); the levels in the Octreotide treatment group were significantly lower than in the model group at 6 h (P < 0.05), and there was no marked difference between the levels in the Octreotide treatment group and model group at 3 h and 12 h (P > 0.05). (4) The serum NO contents of the Baicalin treatment group were significantly lower than those of the model group (P < 0.05), while in the Octreotide treatment group it was obviously lower than in the model group at 3 and 12 h (P < 0.01); in this regard there was no marked difference between the Baicalin and Octreotide treatment groups at different time points (P > 0.05). (5) The serum MDA contents of the Baicalin treatment group were significantly lower than those of the model group (P < 0.01), while in the Octreotide treatment group it was significantly less than the model group at 6 and 12 h (P < 0.05), and in the Baicalin treatment group was significantly less than in the Octreotide treatment group at 12 h (P < 0.05). (6) There was no marked difference among the model group, Baicalin treatment group and Octreotide treatment group in terms of serum TNF-alpha content at 3 h and 12 h (P > 0.05). At 6 h the value in the Baicalin treatment group was significantly less than in the model group (P < 0.001), in the Octreotide treatment group it was significantly less than in the model group (P < 0.001), and the Octreotide treatment group it was significantly less than in the Baicalin treatment group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Both Baicalin and Octreotide have obvious protective effects on the multiple organ injury in SAP with mechanisms associated to manifold factors. By comparing the pharmacologic effects of Octreotide and Baicalin, we believe that Baicalin as a new drug has a protective effect on multiple organs of a SAP rat model similar to that of Octreotide and is worth further study and development.

Experimental model of severe acute pancreatitis in rabbits

PURPOSE: To develop an experimental model of severe acute pancreatitis in rabbits through a pancreatic ductal injection of sodium taurocholate. METHODS: Twenty-four albino rabbits of the New Zealand lineage were distributed into four groups of six animals (A, B, C and S). The rabbits of three experimental groups (A, B and C) were submitted to a laparatomy and received a pancreatic ductal injection of 1ml/kg sodium taurocholate 5%. Also, they were submitted to further laparatomies after 4h, 8h and 12h, respectively. The control group (S) was subdivided into two groups of three animals: in subgroup S1 only the pancreatic duct catheterization was performed whereas in subgroup S2 the pancreatic duct catheterization as well as an injection of 1ml/kg physiologic solution 0.9% were carried out. After 12 hours, the rabbits were evaluated. In the re-intervention, blood was collected to determine the amylasemia and a pancreatectomy was carried out to investigate interstitial infiltration, steatonecrosis and necrosis of the organ, using an optical microscope. RESULTS: There was an elevation of amylase in all groups thus proving the existence of acute pancreatitis. The size of the interlobular septum increased progressively with a greater variation between group S1 (0.13) and group C (0. 53) (p=0.035). While all the animals in group A exhibited focal cellular necrosis, it was more intense in the rabbits of group B and culminated with a high proportion of severe pancreatic necrosis in group C animals. The difference in the intensity of cellular necrosis showed statistic significance (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The proposed experimental model demonstrated its reproducibility and effectiveness in producing severe acute pancreatitis in rabbits.

Effects of curcumin on tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in the late phase of experimental acute pancreatitis

Summary Inflammatory cytokines have been demonstrated to play an important role in the induction and severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the recent studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 in the late phase of AP. The study was conducted on 40 male Wistar Albino rats. The animals were divided randomly into four equal groups. AP was induced by the infusion of 3% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct (in groups I and II). Starting on day 20 prior to the induction of AP, rats in group I received daily dose of 100 mg/kg of curcumin, dissolved in 9% ethanol via an intragastric tube. The same procedure was repeated for 6 days following the onset of AP. Group III was infused only on saline solution. Group IV (curcumin control group) received 9% ethanol via an intragastric tube, during the experimental period (totally 26 days). All the animals were sacrificed on day 6 after the collection of blood samples and serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were determined. Tissue samples were taken from pancreas, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, lungs, spleen and the kidneys for histopathological evaluation. Serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the group, which received curcumin (group I), were determined to be significantly lower than those of the untreated group (group II) (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected in terms of total histopathological scores in the treatment group versus untreated group. Curcumin has been shown to markedly reduce serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the late phase of AP, but failed in the prevention of tissue injury.

Pathologic alterations detected in acute pancreatitis induced by sodium taurocholate in rats and therapeutic effects of curcumin, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole combination

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Secondary bacterial infections and free radical injury have been known to play an important role in the pathogenesis and clinical outcome of acute pancreatitis. Despite the therapy models developed in recent years, the mortality rate is still reported to be higher than expected. The objective of this study therefore was to investigate the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole combination and curcumin together in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Acute pancreatitis was induced in rats by sodium taurocholate (n = 60). Starting 6 h after the induction of acute pancreatitis, groups I and II were injected 200 mg/kg ciprofloxacin and 500 mg/kg metronidazole intraperitoneally every 12 h for 6 days. Groups II and III received 100 mg/kg curcumin since day 20 prior to the initiation of acute pancreatitis. On day 6, animals of all groups were killed. Blood and tissue samples were taken for biochemical, pathologic and bacteriologic examination.

RESULTS

No statistical difference in the treatment groups versus the non-treatment group has been detected in the pancreatic tissue on the basis of histopathological scoring results. Prevalences of bacterial translocation were significantly lower in the treatment groups (groups I-III) than in the non-treatment group (group IV) (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). Serum amylase, lipase, malon dialdehyde and nitric oxide (except for nitric oxide level in group I), levels of groups I, II and III were significantly lower than those of group IV (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole in combination and curcumin in acute pancreatitis failed to provide a preventive effect on the occurrence of tissue injury, whereas free radical injury and prevalence of bacterial translocation were reduced significantly.