title: Statin pretreatment in experimental acute pancreatitis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil. josluizalmeida@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: José Luiz
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Sandra Nassa
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Sampietre
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mendonça Coelho
authors.forename: Nilza Aparecida
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Trindade Molan
authors.forename: Marcel Cerqueira César
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: José Eduardo
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Monteiro da Cunha
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jukemura
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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