title: Melittin inhibits cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis via inhibition of the JNK pathway.
abstract: The major compound of bee venom, melittin, has been used as an anti-inflammatory reagent for decades. However, the potential of melittin to ameliorate acute pancreatitis (AP) is unknown. Our aim was to investigate the effect of melittin on cerulein-induced AP. Pre- and post-treatment with melittin inhibited histological changes in the pancreas and lungs during cerulein-induced AP. Pancreatic weight/body weight ratios; digestive enzymes, including amylase and lipase; serum and pancreatic cytokine expression; and myeloperoxidase activity were decreased. In addition, treatment with melittin inhibited the activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal protein kinase (JNK) in the pancreas during cerulein-induced pancreatitis. In accordance with the results of in vivo experiments, melittin reduced cerulein-induced cell death, and production of inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, our results suggest that melittin attenuated AP and AP-associated lung injury through the inhibition of JNK activation.
authors.affiliation: ChungBuk Oriental Medicine Center, Jecheon, 390-250, ChungBuk, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Gi-Sang
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Min-Sun
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyoung-Chel
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Bon Soon
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.forename: Byung-Jin
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae-Hyeon
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang-Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Yong-Kook
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Seung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ho-Joon
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Sung-Joo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002108:Ceruletide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008555:Melitten / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019283:Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016207:Cytokines; D008555:Melitten; D002108:Ceruletide; D009195:Peroxidase; D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases