In acute pancreatitis (AP) local proinflammatory cytokine production within the pancreas may lead to a systemic inflammatory response with potentially fatal multiorgan failure. Previous studies have demonstrated that hypertonic saline solutions present significant potential as an immunomodulator agent.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of a hypertonic saline solution on local inflammatory response on acute pancreatitis in rats.
Methods: AP was induced in male Wistar rats by intraductal 2.5% taurocholate injection. The animals were divided in 3 groups: NT (n=15): no treated AP, NS (n=15): animals received 34ml/kg of normal saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) IV, 1 hour after AP, and HTS (n=15): animals received 4ml/Kg of hypertonic saline solution (NaCl 7.5%) IV., 1 hour after AP. After 2 and 24 hours of induction of AP volume of ascitic fluid and TNF-alfa, IL-6 and IL-10 levels in the ascitic fluid and pancreatic tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed 2 and 24 hours after AP. Pancreatic histology was also analyzed.
Results: A significant decrease on volume of ascitic fluid and levels of peritoneal TNF-alfa, IL-6 and IL-10 was observed two hours after AP in animals of HTS group (p<0.05). Also, 2 and 24 h after AP a significant reduction on pancreatic levels of TNF-alfa, IL-6 and IL-10 was observed in group HTS when compared to NT and NS groups (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in pancreatic MPO, MDA and histological findings (edema, acinar necrosis, hemorrhage, fat necrosis, and inflammation) in animals of the three groups.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that administration of hypertonic saline solution decreases local inflammatory response in acute pancreatitis without changing the intensity of the pancreatic lesions.Supported by FAPESP n0 2007/03980-5