title: Antioxidants as a treatment for acute pancreatitis: A meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of antioxidants in acute (AP) pancreatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane library for all randomized controlled trials (RCT) involving administration of antioxidants in the therapy of AP until February 2012. AP studies were pooled to analyze the effect of antioxidants on hospital stay, mortality, and complications. Subgroup analyses were performed on the use of the antioxidant glutamine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, eleven RCTs were included. Among patients with AP, antioxidant therapy resulted in a borderline significant reduction in hospital stay (mean difference -1.74; 95%CI -3.56 to 0.08), a significant decrease in complications (RR 0.66; 95%CI 0.46-0.95) and a non-significant decrease in mortality rate (RR 0.66; 95%CI 0.30-1.46). Subgroup analyses showed that glutamine significantly reduced complications (RR 0.51; 95%CI 0.34-0.78) and mortality rate (RR 0.33; 95%CI 0.13-0.85).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present meta-analysis shows a possible benefit of glutamine supplementation in patients with acute pancreatitis. However, large randomized trials are needed to confirm these observations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: s.jeurnink@antoniusziekenhuis.nl.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jeurnink
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Nijs
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H A B
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Prins
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Greving
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Siersema
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005973:Glutamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005973:Glutamine
keywords: Acute; Antioxidant; Glutamine; Hospital stay; Pancreatitis; Survival