title: Pancreatic fibrosis in rats and its response to antioxidant treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidative stress plays a role in the development of pancreatic fibrosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we hypothesized that the administration of an antioxidant complex could ameliorate cerulein and cyclosporin A pancreatic fibrosis, assessed by changes in oxidative stress and a histopathological study in an experimental rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four groups of ten rats each. In Group A, the rats served as controls and were treated with intraperitoneal saline solution. In Group B, six courses of cerulein pancreatitis were induced at weekly intervals. In Group C, the rats received cyclosporin A the day before and the day on which pancreatitis was induced in Group B. In Group D, the rats were treated as in Group C but also received antioxidants. All rats were sacrificed at the seventh week.
  
  
  METHODS
  The presence of fibrosis was evaluated according to a scoring system. Glutathione peroxidase was utilized as an indicator of oxidative stress and total antioxidant status as an indicator of total antioxidant tissue capacity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rats in Groups B and C showed more pancreatic fibrosis than those in Groups A and D (90%, 70%, 0%, and 20%, respectively). The glutathione peroxidase increased in Group B (455+/-196 mU/g protein) and Group C (243+/-206 mU/g protein) with respect to those in Group A (137+/-80 mU/g protein) and Group D (135+/-105 mU/g protein). Total antioxidant status was significantly higher in Groups B (1.41+/-0.96 mmol/g protein) and D (1.28+/-0.09 mmol/g protein) with respect to Groups A (0.10+/-0.06 mmol/g protein) and C (0.15+/-0.09 mmoL/g protein).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The administration of cerulein and cyclosporin A caused fibrosis, whereas antioxidant administration showed preventive effects regarding cerulein and cyclosporin A-induced pancreatic fibrosis.
authors: Departament of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain. gherasc@ono.com
authors: Gonzalo
authors: G
authors: de Las Heras-Castaño
authors: María Teresa
authors: MT
authors: García-Unzueta
authors: Agustín
authors: A
authors: Domínguez-Diez
authors: María Dolores
authors: MD
authors: Fernández-González
authors: Ana María
authors: AM
authors: García-de la Paz
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Mayorga-Fernández
authors: Fidel
authors: F
authors: Fernández-Fernández
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002108:Ceruletide; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016572:Cyclosporine; D005355:Fibrosis; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016572:Cyclosporine; D002108:Ceruletide; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase