Beneficial effects of N-acetyl cysteine on pancreas and kidney following experimental pancreatic ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the protective effects of N-acetyl cysteine on the pancreas and kidney after pancreatic ischemia reperfusion injury in a rat model.

METHODS AND MATERIALS:

Pancreatic ischemia reperfusion was performed in Wistar rats for 1 hour. Revascularization was achieved followed by 4 h of reperfusion. A total of 24 animals were divided into four groups: Group 1: sham; Group 2: pancreatic ischemia reperfusion without treatment; Group 3: pancreatic ischemia reperfusion plus N-acetyl cysteine intravenously; and Group 4: pancreatic ischemia reperfusion plus N-acetyl cysteine per os. Blood and tissue samples were collected after reperfusion.

RESULTS:

There were significant differences in amylase levels between Group 1 (6.11+/-0.55) and Group 2 (10.30+/-0.50) [p=0.0002] as well as between Group 2 (10.30+/-0.50) and Group 4 (7.82+/-0.38) [p=0.003]; creatinine levels between Group 1 (0.52 +/- 0.07) and Group 2 (0.77+/-0.18) [p=0.035] as well as between Group 2 (0.77+/-0.18) and Group 3 (0.48+/-0.13) [p=0.012]; and pancreatic tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels between Group 1 (1.27+/-0.96) and Group 2 (2.60+/-3.01) [p=0.026] as well as between Group 2 (2.60+/-3.01) and Group 4 (0.52+/-0.56) [p=0.002]. A decrease in pancreatic tissue GST-alpha3 gene expression was observed in Group 2 in comparison to Group 1 (p =0.006), and an increase was observed in Groups 3 and 4 when compared to Group 2 (p= 0.025 and p=0.010, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

This study provides evidence that N-acetyl cysteine has a beneficial effect on pancreatic ischemia reperfusion injury and renal function in a rat model.

• Authors: Roberto Ferreira Meirelles Junior, Márcia Saldanha Kubrusly, Marta Bellodi-Privato, Nilza Aparecida Trindade Molan, Marcel Cerqueira Cesar Machado, Luis Augusto Carneiro D'Albuquerque
• Journal: Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) (Clinics (Sao Paulo)) Vol. 65 Issue 3 Pg. 311-6 (Mar 2010) ISSN: 1980-5322 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20360923 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glutathione Transferase
• Acetylcysteine

Topics

• Acetylcysteine (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Disease Models, Animal
• Glutathione Transferase (blood)
• Kidney (drug effects)
• Pancreas (blood supply, drug effects)
• Random Allocation
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Reperfusion Injury (blood, drug therapy)