Pancreatic phospholipase A2 in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in the rat

Electroacupuncture protects against CCK-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

OBJECTIVE

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used to treat myalgia, adiposis and gastroenteropathy in Korea. EA as a complementary and alternative medicine has been accepted worldwide mainly for the treatment acute and chronic pain and inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EA on acute pancreatitis induced by cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK) in rats.

METHODS

Animals were divided into four groups: (1) a normal group; (2) a CCK-induced acute pancreatitis group; (3) a CCK-induced acute pancreatitis group treated with 100-Hz EA, and (4) a CCK-induced acute pancreatitis group treated with 2-Hz EA. High-frequency (100-Hz) and low-frequency EA (2-Hz) stimulations were applied to an acupoint equivalent to Zusanli (ST36) in rats, followed by 75 microg/kg CCK subcutaneously three times, after 1, 3 and 5 h. The entire procedure was repeated over 5 days. Repeated CCK treatment resulted in typical laboratory and morphological changes in experimentally induced pancreatitis.

RESULTS

EA significantly decreased the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio in CCK-induced acute pancreatitis, increased the pancreatic levels of HSP60 and HSP72, and decreased the beta-amylase and lipase levels associated with CCK-induced acute pancreatitis. Furthermore, the release of ACTH was increased in the blood serum of the EA-treated group.

CONCLUSION

EA may have protective effects against CCK-induced acute pancreatitis through the release of ACTH.

Taraxacum officinale protects against cholecystokinin-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

AIM: Taraxacum officinale (TO) has been frequently used as a remedy for inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TO on cholecystokinin (CCK)-octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

METHODS: TO at 10 mg/kg was orally administered, followed by 75 μg/kg CCK octapeptide injected subcutaneously three times after 1, 3 and 5 h. This whole procedure was repeated for 5 d. We determined the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, the levels of pancreatic HSP60 and HSP72, and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Repeated CCK octapeptide treatment resulted in typical laboratory and morphological changes of experimentally-induced pancreatitis.

RESULTS: TO significantly decreased the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio in CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis. TO also increased the pancreatic levels of HSP60 and HSP72. Additionally, the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α decreased in the animals treated with TO.

CONCLUSION: TO may have a protective effect against CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis.

Genetic determinants of mortality in acute necrotizing pancreatitis

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), which often progresses to infection, sepsis, and multisystem organ failure, runs a course remarkably similar to that seen frequently after severe burns, massive physical trauma, or major surgery. There is extensive evidence that the development of the sepsis response is mediated by immunocytes, particularly activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) and their secretions (reactive oxygen species, lysosomal hydrolases, cytokines, and so on). Some years ago it was suggested that the high mortality of ANP may be related to an overaggressive immunological defense system of the host rather than to autodigestion of the gland. Recent investigations of the immunoregulatory responses following surgery or other trauma have not only furnished additional support for this concept, but also revealed some genetic factors that may critically influence the outcome of posttraumatic illness including ANP. The prognostic significance of abnormal, early polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) activation in the development of sepsis, high neutrophil expression of certain receptor molecules, low monocyte and lymphocyte expression of major histocompatibility antigen MHC-class II, and the influence of the genetically encoded TNF and IL-1 secretion on the course of the illness are discussed and related to ANP. Evidence is presented for the potential usefulness of some of these parameters in the prognosis and future treatment of ANP.