Antioxidants as a treatment for acute pancreatitis: A meta-analysis

• Published in: Pancreatology : official journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et al.] 2015-05, Vol.15 (3), p.203-208
• Main Authors: Jeurnink, S.M, Nijs, M.M, Prins, H.A.B, Greving, J.P, Siersema, P.D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute; Acute Disease; Antioxidant; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Glutamine; Glutamine - therapeutic use; Hospital stay; Humans; Length of Stay; Mortality; Pancreas; Pancreatitis; Pancreatitis - complications; Pancreatitis - drug therapy; Pancreatitis - mortality; Studies; Survival; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1424-3903; 1424-3911
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2015.03.009

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). Conclusion 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.