Beneficial effects of N-acetyl cysteine on pancreas and kidney following experimental pancreatic ischemia-reperfusion in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the protective effects of N-acetyl cysteine on the pancreas and kidney after pancreatic ischemia reperfusion injury in a rat model.


METHODS
Pancreatic ischemia reperfusion was performed in Wistar rats for 1 hour. Revascularization was achieved followed by 4 h of reperfusion. A total of 24 animals were divided into four groups: Group 1: sham; Group 2: pancreatic ischemia reperfusion without treatment; Group 3: pancreatic ischemia reperfusion plus N-acetyl cysteine intravenously; and Group 4: pancreatic ischemia reperfusion plus N-acetyl cysteine per os. Blood and tissue samples were collected after reperfusion.


RESULTS
There were significant differences in amylase levels between Group 1 (6.11+/-0.55) and Group 2 (10.30+/-0.50) [p=0.0002] as well as between Group 2 (10.30+/-0.50) and Group 4 (7.82+/-0.38) [p=0.003]; creatinine levels between Group 1 (0.52 +/- 0.07) and Group 2 (0.77+/-0.18) [p=0.035] as well as between Group 2 (0.77+/-0.18) and Group 3 (0.48+/-0.13) [p=0.012]; and pancreatic tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels between Group 1 (1.27+/-0.96) and Group 2 (2.60+/-3.01) [p=0.026] as well as between Group 2 (2.60+/-3.01) and Group 4 (0.52+/-0.56) [p=0.002]. A decrease in pancreatic tissue GST-alpha3 gene expression was observed in Group 2 in comparison to Group 1 (p =0.006), and an increase was observed in Groups 3 and 4 when compared to Group 2 (p= 0.025 and p=0.010, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that N-acetyl cysteine has a beneficial effect on pancreatic ischemia reperfusion injury and renal function in a rat model.
Junior
Roberto Ferreira Meirelles
RF
Department of Gastroenterology, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo - São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
Kubrusly
Márcia Saldanha
MS
Bellodi-Privato
Marta
M
Molan
Nilza Aparecida Trindade
NA
Machado
Marcel Cerqueira Cesar
MC
D'Albuquerque
Luis Augusto Carneiro
LA
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D000111:Acetylcysteine