title: [The effects of melatonin and pentoxiphylline on L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been showed that free oxygen radicals and cytokines contribute to tissue damage and impairment of pancreatic microcirculation in acute pancreatitis. In this study, the effects of melatonin and pentoxiphylline were investigated in rabbits with L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rabbits were divided into 5 groups (n=10). Any procedure was not applied for the control group (G1). Acute pancreatitis was induced in one group (G2). Melatonin (G3), pentoxiphylline (G4) and melatonin + pentoxiphylline (G5) were given to other groups after induction of acute pancreatitis. Plasma levels of MDA, amylase, LDH, SGOT, IL-6 and TNF-a were measured at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours and pancreatic tissue was assessed histopathologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Melatonin significantly reduced amylase activities at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours (p<0.025), and all biochemical parameters, (excl. MDA) and edema and necrosis of acinar cells after 48 hours. Although pentoxiphylline reduced abnormally increased parameters in acute pancreatitis (significant for SGOT at 6, 12, 24 and IL-6 at 12, 48 hours), it did not normalized pancreatic abnormalities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Melatonin in contrast to pentoxiphylline significantly improved biochemical and histopathological abnormalities due to its powerful antioxidant and free oxygen scavenger properties in acute pancreatitis, and it can be used for patients with pancreatitis.
authors.affiliation: Firat University, Medical Faculty, Department of Surgery, 23200 Elaziğ. nbulbuller@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nurullah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bülbüller
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Doğru
authors.forename: Hayati
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Umaç
authors.forename: Ferit
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gürsu
authors.forename: Nusret
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akpolat
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001120:Arginine; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D001120:Arginine; D000681:Amylases; D008550:Melatonin; D010431:Pentoxifylline