Statin pretreatment in experimental acute pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
Some authors have found beneficial effect of statins in certain inflammatory conditions, but the effect of statins on acute pancreatitis is not yet defined.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of simvastatin on an experimental model of mild and severe acute pancreatitis.


METHODS
One hundred and one Wistar rats with cerulein or taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis were used in this study.


METHODS
The rats were divided into two groups: Group I (n=51) received two previously i.p. injections (18+/-2 and 3+/-1 hours) of simvastatin (200 microg/kg) and Group II (n=50) received two previously i.p. injections of saline. Both groups were subdivided into two subgroups: mild pancreatitis (cerulein-induced; IA, n=10; IIA, n=10) and severe pancreatitis (taurocholate-induced; IB, n=41; IIB, n=40).


METHODS
The parameters evaluated were: pancreatic vascular permeability, tissue water content, histologic lesion, amylase serum levels in rats with mild pancreatitis (subgroups A); mortality rate, serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, amylase, pulmonary myeloperoxidase activity and ascitic levels of TNF-alpha in rats with severe pancreatitis (subgroups B).


RESULTS
Serum levels of IL-10 were significantly lower in the simvastatin-treated group as well as the myeloperoxidase activity. There was no significant difference in any of other studied parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Simvastatin appears to reduce inflammatory cytokines and pulmonary neutrophilic activation in the severe acute pancreatitis model, but there is no significant effect on survival curve, in spite of a clear trend towards a better survival in the simvastatin group.
Almeida
José Luiz
JL
Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. josluizalmeida@yahoo.com.br
Sampietre
Sandra Nassa
SN
Mendonça Coelho
Ana Maria
AM
Trindade Molan
Nilza Aparecida
NA
Machado
Marcel Cerqueira César
MC
Monteiro da Cunha
José Eduardo
JE
Jukemura
José
J
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D002108:Ceruletide; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008168:Lung / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013656:Taurocholic Acid; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D013656:Taurocholic Acid; D002108:Ceruletide; D019821:Simvastatin; D009195:Peroxidase