THE ROLE OXYGEN-FREE RADICALS IN ACUTE-PA NCREATITIS - CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS OF SCAVENGER TREATMENT

Numerous studies support the theory that oxygen free radicals (OR) are involved in the development of tissue damage in all forms of experime ntal acute pancreatitis. OR are generated in an early phase of the dis ease before tissue damage is detectable by histology. The pathomechani sm that leads to this oxidative stress is not fully understood. The ef ficacy of scavenger treatment was clearly proven in most models of exp erimental acute pancreatitis. In first clinical trials applying antiox idant treatment with selenium show favorable results in reducing the l ipidperoxidation and improving the antioxidant status. However these p reliminary results but must be supported in a larger series of patient s to allow proper evaluation of patient outcome.