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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2005; 11(31): 4883-4885
Published online Aug 21, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i31.4883
α-Lipoic acid protects against cholecystokinin-induced acute pancreatitis in rats
Sung-Joo Park, Sang-Wan Seo, Ok-Sun Choi, Cheung-Seog Park
Sung-Joo Park, Sang-Wan Seo, Department of Pharmacology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University #1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, South Korea
Ok-Sun Choi, Cheung-Seog Park, Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University #1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, South Korea
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Next Generation Growth Engine Program grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology (2004-00075), South Korea
Correspondence to: Dr. Cheung-Seog Park, Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University #1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, South Korea
Telephone: +82-2-961-0294 Fax: +82-2-962-6189
Received: January 11, 2005
Revised: January 23, 2005
Accepted: January 26, 2005
Published online: August 21, 2005
Abstract

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

METHODS: ALA at 1 mg/kg was intra-peritoneally injected, followed by 75 μg/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-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were comparable in CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis.

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

Keywords: α-Lipoic acid; Acute pancreatitis; Proinflammatory cytokines; Cholecystokinin