ROLE OF XANTHINE-OXIDASE AND EICOSANOIDS IN DEVELOPMENT OF PANCREATICISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION INJURY

The implication of different eicosanoids and oxygen free radicals in t he development of pancreatic injury after an ischemia-reperfusion proc ess has been evaluated. For this purpose we have compared the effect o f allopurinol and indomethacin administration on the pancreatic levels of eicosanoids in a rat model of pancreatic ischemia-reperfusion. Aft er 60 min of pancreatic ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion, significant i ncreases in 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha), PGE(2), and LTB(4), in pancreas tissu e were detected. Allopurinol before the ischemic period reduced 6-keto -PGF(1 alpha), PGE(2), and LTB(4), levels to the range of basal values , while prior indomethacin treatment significantly reduced 6-keto-PGF( 1 alpha), and PGE(2) levels, with LTB(4), remaining unmodified. Increa sed postischemic plasma lipases were also significantly reduced by all opurinol to the range of sham-operated animals whereas indomethacin di d not modify these levels. The data suggest a role for lipoxygenase me tabolites in the development of pancreatic injury and the importance o f the enzyme xanthine oxidase as an inductor of eicosanoid biosynthesi s.