Involvement of reactive oxygen radicals, nitric oxide and cytokines has been
implicated in the initiation of pancreatic tissue damage and impairment of the pancreatic
microcirculation in acute pancreatitis. Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative with
marked anti- inflammatory properties in addition to its inhibition for the pro-inflammatory
cytokines production. Our aim is to examine whether pentoxifylline ameliorates inflammatory
infiltrate and glutathione depletion associated with cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Cotreatment
of animals with pentoxifylline prevented both mitochondrial swelling and damage to
mitochondrial cristae caused by cerulein. reduced cerulin-induced pancreatic inflammation
and significantly (P <0.05) reduced the increase in lipohydroperoxides (LP0). nitrate levels
and the depletion of pancreatic glutathione. Our results provide a possibility of using
pentoxif).711ine to attenuate the inflammation within the pancreas and as an adjuvant in the
treatment of acute pancreatitis. |
