EFFECTS OF ERDOSTEINE, VITAMIN C AND E ON ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION INDUCED PANCREATIC INJURY IN RATS.

Objective: Ischemia/reperfusion injury may lead to acute pancreatitis through oxidative injury. Administration of different types of free radical scavengers could prevent the pancreatic injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of erdosteine and vitamin C and E on oxidative stress and pancreatic damage in experimental ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatitis. Material and Method: Forty rats were divided into four groups: control, ischemia reperfusion, erdosteine administration before ischemia/reperfusion, and vitamins C and E administration before ischemia/reperfusion. Ischemia/reperfusion was performed by occlusion of both hind limbs of the animals. Erdosteine, vitamin C and E were administered for 3 days before ischemia-reperfusion. End of the reperfusion period the entire pancreas was rapidly excised for histological analysis and oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and reduced glutathione (GSH)] assays. Results: Ischemia/reperfusion produced a significant increase in MDA levels (p=0.002) and CAT activities (p=0.001) in pancreatic tissue when compared with control group. Administration of erdosteine, vitamin C and E before ischemia/reperfusion injury prevented the increase in MDA levels (p=0.002 and p=0.007, respectively) and CAT activities (p=0.008 and p=0.002, respectively). Ischemia/reperfusion produced decreased GSH-Px activity in pancreatic tissue when compared with control group. Administration of erdosteine and vitamins C and E before ischemia/reperfusion injury prevented a significant decrease in GSH-Px activities (p=0.014 and p=0.022, respectively). Nevertheless, GSH levels and SOD activity were not significantly different among groups. The histological analysis showed edema, vacuolization, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) infiltration and necrosis in ischemia/reperfusion group. Conclusion: The administration of erdosteine and vitamins C and E had a modest protective effect on the oxidative stress and pancreatic injury induced ischemia/reperfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]