This study was designed to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory effect and ameliorative role of α-lipoic acid (ALA) and curcumin (CUR) against L-arginine (L-Arg.) induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in rats. Fifty two male albino rats were divided into four equal groups, 13 rats each. Group I (control normal group): rats received no drugs. Group II (acute pancreatitis-induced group): rats injected intraperitoneal by L-arginine (200 mg/100 g) twice at 1- hour intervals for the induction of acute pancreatitis. Group III (L-arginine induced AP +α-lipoic acid treated group): rats injected intraperitoneally with α- lipoic acid (54 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days prior to L-arginine injection followed by 3 days later. Group IV ( L-arginine induced AP+Curcumin treated group): rats orally treated with curcumin (200 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days prior to L-arginine administration followed by 3 days later after acute pancreatitis induction. The animals were decapitated 24 and 72 hours after the last dose of L-arginine. Blood samples and pancreatic tissues were collected for determination of some serum and pancreatic tissues parameters. The obtained results revealed that, while serum marker enzymes (amylase, lipase, ALT, AST) activities, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α levels and pancreatic tissue L-MDA and nuclear factor-Kabba B (NF-κB) concentrations significantly increased in
rats with L-arginine-induced AP, serum calcium level and pancreatic tissue antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) activities significantly reduced. Interestingly, the severity of these alterations were reduced after treatment with α-lipoic acid or curcumin that exhibited pronounced improvement in the progression of pancreatitis and protection against L-Arg induced AP probably by their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. These results suggest that, curcumin or α-lipoic acid may be effective in controlling acute pancreatic status, decrease oxidative stress and have an ameliorating role in reducing acute pancreatitis complications.
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