title: Beneficial effects of alpha lipoic acid on cerulein-induced experimental acute pancreatitis in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study aimed to determine the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on blood and tissue biochemical parameters, as well as tissue histopathology, in an experimental rat model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Three groups consisting of eight rats each were used, as follows: Group 1, controls; Group 2, cerulein-induced pancreatitis group treated with saline; and Group 3, cerulein-induced pancreatitis group treated with ALA. AP was induced by intraperitoneal administration of cerulein (20 µg/kg) 4 times at 1-hour intervals. The animals were decapitated 12 hours after the last dose of cerulein. Blood amylase, lipase, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels, pancreas tissue glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO) and Na+-K+-ATPase activity were measured. Pancreatic tissue samples were also evaluated histopathologically under a light microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While plasma amylase, lipase, IL-1ß, and TNF-α levels, and tissue MDA and MPO levels significantly increased in rats with cerulean-induced AP, tissue GSH and Na+-K+-ATPase activity significantly reduced. These changes were reversed and improved with ALA treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that ALA may significantly reduce morbidity and mortality by preventing organ dysfunction induced by free radicals in the pancreas.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nuriye Esen
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Özkan
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ekinci
authors.forename: Ender
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dulundu
authors.forename: Ümit
authors.initials: Ü
authors.lastname: Topaloğlu
authors.forename: Ahmet Özer
authors.initials: AÖ
authors.lastname: Şehirli
authors.forename: Feriha
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ercan
authors.forename: Göksel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Şener
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002108:Ceruletide / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008063:Thioctic Acid; D002108:Ceruletide