Protective effects of saizen in combination with stilamin on intestinal mucosa of a rabbit model of severe acute pancreatitis

Interleukin-22 Attenuates Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Intestinal Mucosa Injury in Mice via STAT3 Activation

Background/Aims

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is an important cytokine maintaining homeostasis at barrier surfaces. In this study, the role of IL-22 in acute pancreatitis-associated intestinal injury was further explored.

Methods

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) was induced by administration of L-arginine in Balb/c mice at different time gradients. Histopathological examinations were made in both the pancreas and small intestine. Furthermore, recombinant murine IL-22 (rIL-22) was administrated to L-arginine-induced SAP mice by intraperitoneal injection. The mRNA levels of IL-22R1, Reg-IIIβ, Reg-IIIγ, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL were detected in the small intestine by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein levels of total and phosphorylated STAT3 were assessed via Western blot.

Results

Compared with normal control group, 72 hours of L-arginine exposure induced the most characteristic histopathological changes of SAP, evidenced by pathological changes and serum amylase levels. Meanwhile, significant pancreatitis-associated intestinal mucosa injury was also observed. The gene expression levels of antimicrobial proteins Reg-IIIβ, Reg-IIIγ and anti-apoptosis proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-xL were downregulated in small intestine. Furthermore, Larginine- induced SAP was attenuated by rIL-22 treatment. Importantly, pancreatitis-associated intestinal mucosa injury was also ameliorated, reflected by improved pathological changes and significant increase in gene expression levels of Reg-IIIβ, Reg-IIIγ, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. Consistently, serum amylase levels and mortality were decreased in mice treated with rIL-22. Mechanistically, the upregulated expressions of these protective genes were achieved by activating STAT3.

Conclusions

Exogenous rIL-22 attenuates L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis and intestinal mucosa injury in mice, via activating STAT3 signaling pathway and enhancing the expression of antimicrobial peptides and antiapoptotic genes.

WITHDRAWN: Stilamin inhibits intestinal and pancreatic injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis by down-regulating LCN2 expression

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Gentamicin combined with probiotics for treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis: Efficacy and impact on inflammatory factors

AIM

To investigate the clinical effects of gentamicin combined with probiotics in the treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Seventy-one patients with severe acute pancreatitis were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 35) and a control group (n = 36). Both groups were given routine treatments, and the experimental group was additionally given gentamycin combined with probiotics. Improvement of symptoms was compared between the two groups. Serum procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reaction protein (CRP) levels were also compared.

RESULTS

Times to pain relief and recovery of blood amylase were similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). Times to anal exhaust and return of white blood cell count to normal were significantly shorter in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). No obvious adverse reactions occurred in either group. After treatment, serum PCT, IL-6 and CRP were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Gentamicin combined with probiotics can control infection and protect intestinal mucosal barrier function in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Neuropeptide receptors as potential drug targets in the treatment of inflammatory conditions

Cross-talk between the nervous, endocrine and immune systems exists via regulator molecules, such as neuropeptides, hormones and cytokines. A number of neuropeptides have been implicated in the genesis of inflammation, such as tachykinins and calcitonin gene-related peptide. Development of their receptor antagonists could be a promising approach to anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapy. Anti-inflammatory neuropeptides, such as vasoactive intestinal peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, urocortin, adrenomedullin, somatostatin, cortistatin, ghrelin, galanin and opioid peptides, are also released and act on their own receptors on the neurons as well as on different inflammatory and immune cells. The aim of the present review is to summarize the most prominent data of preclinical animal studies concerning the main pharmacological effects of ligands acting on the neuropeptide receptors. Promising therapeutic impacts of these compounds as potential candidates for the development of novel types of anti-inflammatory drugs are also discussed.