Effects of mast-cell stabilization in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

• Published in: International journal of gastrointestinal cancer 2001, Vol.29 (3), p.163-171
• Main Authors: YÖNETCI, Nadir, ORUC, Nevin, ÖZÜTEMIZ, A. Ömer, CELIK, Handan Ak, YÜCE, Gül
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Ceruletide; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enzyme Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Ketotifen - therapeutic use; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Mast Cells - drug effects; Mast Cells - pathology; Mast Cells - physiology; Medical sciences; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester - therapeutic use; Other diseases. Semiology; Pancreatitis - chemically induced; Pancreatitis - drug therapy; Pancreatitis - pathology; Pancreatitis - physiopathology; Rats; Rats, Wistar
• ISSN: 0169-4197; 1537-3649; 1537-3649
• DOI: 10.1385/ijgc:29:3:163

In this study we aimed to clarify the role of mast cells in the development and progression of inflammation in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in rats. We have also examined the effects of ketotifen; a mast-cell stabilizing agent in the treatment of acute pancreatitis and its relation with nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. In the first part of the study we planned to examine the effects mast cell stabilization in acute pancreatitis, while the second part was focused on examining the relation between NO synthesis and the potential effects of ketotifen in AP. Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n: 10). In the first part of the study, AP was induced by four subcutaneous (sc) injections of 20 microg/kg body weight of cerulein at hourly intervals in Groups A and B while Group C was treated with saline as the control group. Group B was pretreated with ketotifen 1 mg/kg (ip). In the second part, the study design was similar except for the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis by N-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 30 mg/kg (ip) in Groups D, E and F. Group D was treated with L-NAME and cerulein and Group E was treated with ketotifen, L-NAME and cerulein. Group F was treated with L-NAME and saline as the control group. Serum amylase activity and pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) were measured. Pancreatic histology and mast-cell count in pancreatic tissue were evaluated. Mast cell count was found to be increased in the pancreatic tissue in cerulein-induced AP. (2.93+/-0.26 vs 1.98+/-0.26; p