Alpha-lipoic acid protects against cholecystokinin-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

Abstract

Aim: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has been used as an antioxidant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alpha-lipoic acid on cholecystokinin (CCK)-octapeptide induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

Methods: ALA at 1 mg/kg was intra-peritoneally injected, followed by 75 microg/kg CCK-octapeptide injected thrice subcutaneously after 1, 3, and 5 h. This whole procedure was repeated for 5 d. We checked the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the levels of lipase, amylase of serum. Repeated CCK octapeptide treatment resulted in typical laboratory and morphological changes of experimentally induced pancreatitis.

Results: ALA significantly decreased the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio and serum amylase and lipase in CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis. However, the secretion of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha were comparable in CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis.

Conclusion: ALA may have a protective effect against CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis.

Figure 1

Effect of ALA on the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio (pw/bw) in CCK-induced AP. Groups were treated as indicated in the Materials and method. mean±SE for 5 animals are shown. Significant difference (P<0.05) vs the saline treated group.

Figure 2

ALA inhibits hyperlipasemia on CCK-induced pancreatitis in rats. A and B: serum amylase and lipase levels in control rats and with pancreatitis induced by CCK. CCK was applied as described in the Materials and method. Values are mean±SE from at least five animals for each group. In lipase measurement, values for animals with AP receiving ALA were significantly lower than for those without ALA P<0.05.