THE ENDOGENOUS SCAVENGERS IN CERULEIN-INDUCED ACUTE-PANCREATITIS

Studies in animal models suggest that oxygen radicals are important in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Cerulein, a decapeptide isola ted from the skin of the frog, Hyla caerula, is closely related to the C-terminus of cholecystokinin and it is a potent stimulant of pancrea tic exocrine secretion. The aim of the present study was to measure th e activity of endogenous scavengers, superoxide dismutase, catalase an d glutathione levels in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. W e found that the plasma amylase and ribonuclease levels in the pancrea titis group were both significantly high (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respecti vely) when compared with the control group. Although superoxide dismut ase and glutathione levels of pancreatic tissue were decreased signifi cantly (p < 0.01, p < 0.01 respectively), we observed a significant in crease (p < 0.01) in catalase activity in the cerulein treated group c ompared to the control group. Therefore, we concluded that the profoun d alteration of the activities of endogenous scavengers (superoxide di smutase, catalase) and glutathione depletion occuring after cerulein-i nduced pancreatitis seemed to be important in tissue injury and may pr ovide the basis for successful therapy of the disease.