Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 in experimental severe acute pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
The standard treatment for acute pancreatitis (AP) is still based on supportive care. The search for a new drug that could change the natural history of the disease is a continuing challenge for many researchers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor on experimental AP in rats.


METHODS
The animals were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 30)-animals with taurocholate-induced AP treated with parecoxib (40 mg/kg). Group 2 (n = 30)-animals with taurocholate-induced AP that received saline. The COX-2 inhibitor (parecoxib) was injected immediately after AP induction, through the penis dorsal vein. The parameters evaluated were histology, serum levels of amylase, IL-6 and IL-10, and mortality rate.


RESULTS
The serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in the parecoxib-treated group were lower than the control group. The amylase serum levels and the mortality rate remained unchanged in the treated animals. Histologic morphology also was unaltered, except for fat necrosis, which was higher in parecoxib-treated rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibition of Cox-2 decreases the systemic release of inflammatory cytokines, but has a poor effect on the direct pancreas injury caused by taurocholate.
de Almeida
José Luiz Jesus
JL
Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo, Faculty of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. josluizalmeida@yahoo.com.br
Jukemura
José
J
Coelho
Ana Maria Mendonça
AM
Patzina
Rosely Antunes
RA
Machado
Marcel Cerqueira César
MC
da Cunha
José Eduardo Monteiro
JE
D000208:Acute Disease; D000681:Amylases; D000818:Animals; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015996:Survival Rate; D013656:Taurocholic Acid
D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007555:Isoxazoles; D016753:Interleukin-10; D013656:Taurocholic Acid; C409945:parecoxib; D000681:Amylases