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Vol 76, No 1 (2017)
Original article
Submitted: 2016-01-20
Accepted: 2016-04-28
Published online: 2016-05-10
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The protective role of melatonin on L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in adult male albino rats

A. S. Sadek, R. T. Khattab
DOI: 10.5603/FM.a2016.0029
·
Pubmed: 27830885
·
Folia Morphol 2017;76(1):66-73.

open access

Vol 76, No 1 (2017)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2016-01-20
Accepted: 2016-04-28
Published online: 2016-05-10

Abstract

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease that has an increasing incidence worldwide. AP is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates ranging 15–40% in its severe form. Oxidative stress plays an important role in pancreatic acinar cell injury in case of AP. Melatonin (Mel) is proven to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the work was to investigate the protective role of Mel against L-arginine (L-arg)-induced AP in adult male albino rats.

Materials and methods: Thirty-six adult male albino rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into four groups; Control group (Group A; n = 6), Mel group (Group B; n = 6), L-arg group (Group C; n = 12) receiving two doses of L-arg injection with 1 h interval in-between, and L-arg+Mel group (Group D; n = 12) receiving Mel 1 h after each L-arg injection. 24 h after the second L-arg injection, the serum levels of amylase (AM), lipase (LP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Then, pancreatic specimens were processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the area percentage of VEGF and collagen content were measured by digital image analysis.

Results: Microscopic examination revealed that animals received L-arg only (Group C) showed loss of the pancreatic lobular architecture with marked fibrosis, acinar degeneration, inflammatory reaction and marked oedema with vascular congestion. Also, L-arg-induced AP caused a significant elevation of the serum levels of AM, LP, IL-6. All these histo-pathological and serological parameters were markedly improved by Mel administration.

Conclusions: Melatonin exhibits strong therapeutic effects in the course of AP. Hence, the use of Mel as adjuvant treatment in AP is recommended.  

Abstract

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease that has an increasing incidence worldwide. AP is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates ranging 15–40% in its severe form. Oxidative stress plays an important role in pancreatic acinar cell injury in case of AP. Melatonin (Mel) is proven to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the work was to investigate the protective role of Mel against L-arginine (L-arg)-induced AP in adult male albino rats.

Materials and methods: Thirty-six adult male albino rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into four groups; Control group (Group A; n = 6), Mel group (Group B; n = 6), L-arg group (Group C; n = 12) receiving two doses of L-arg injection with 1 h interval in-between, and L-arg+Mel group (Group D; n = 12) receiving Mel 1 h after each L-arg injection. 24 h after the second L-arg injection, the serum levels of amylase (AM), lipase (LP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Then, pancreatic specimens were processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the area percentage of VEGF and collagen content were measured by digital image analysis.

Results: Microscopic examination revealed that animals received L-arg only (Group C) showed loss of the pancreatic lobular architecture with marked fibrosis, acinar degeneration, inflammatory reaction and marked oedema with vascular congestion. Also, L-arg-induced AP caused a significant elevation of the serum levels of AM, LP, IL-6. All these histo-pathological and serological parameters were markedly improved by Mel administration.

Conclusions: Melatonin exhibits strong therapeutic effects in the course of AP. Hence, the use of Mel as adjuvant treatment in AP is recommended.  

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Keywords

acinar cell, interleukin-6, vascular endothelial growth factor

About this article
Title

The protective role of melatonin on L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in adult male albino rats

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 76, No 1 (2017)

Article type

Original article

Pages

66-73

Published online

2016-05-10

Page views

1664

Article views/downloads

1320

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2016.0029

Pubmed

27830885

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2017;76(1):66-73.

Keywords

acinar cell
interleukin-6
vascular endothelial growth factor

Authors

A. S. Sadek
R. T. Khattab

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