Basic Research
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 7, 2007; 13(21): 2932-2938
Published online Jun 7, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i21.2932
Leptin treatment ameliorates acute lung injury in rats with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis
Fatma Ayca Gultekin, Mustafa Kerem, Ertan Tatlicioglu, Aysel Aricioglu, Cigdem Unsal, Neslihan Bukan
Fatma Ayca Gultekin, Mustafa Kerem, Ertan Tatlicioglu, Gazi University, School of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey
Aysel Aricioglu, Neslihan Bukan, Gazi University, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey
Cigdem Unsal, Gazi University, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Besevler 06510, Ankara, Turkey
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by a grant from The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey, TUBITAK, project no: 105S018 (SBAG-HD-5), and Gazi University, Scientific Research Projects Unit, No. G.U.ET-05.013
Correspondence to: Dr. Fatma Ayca Gultekin,Gazi University, School of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, 42. Cadde 451 Sokak Konak Apt. No:2/2 Cukurambar 06520 Ankara, Turkey. faycagultekin@yahoo.com
Telephone: +90-312-2857962 Fax: +90-312-2230528
Received: February 11, 2007
Revised: April 3, 2007
Accepted: April 16, 2007
Published online: June 7, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To determine the effect of exogenous leptin on acute lung injury (ALI) in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODS: Forty-eight rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. AP was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cerulein (50 μg/kg) four times, at 1 h intervals. The rats received a single i.p. injection of 10 μg/kg leptin (leptin group) or 2 mL saline (AP group) after cerulein injections. In the sham group, animals were given a single i.p. injection of 2 mL saline. Experimental samples were collected for biochemical and histological evaluations at 24 h and 48 h after the induction of AP or saline administration. Blood samples were obtained for the determination of amylase, lipase, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, macrophage inflammatory peptide (MIP)-2 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1 levels, while pancreatic and lung tissues were removed for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, nitric oxide (NOx) level, CD40 expression and histological evaluation.

RESULTS: Cerulein injection caused severe AP, confirmed by an increase in serum amylase and lipase levels, histopathological findings of severe AP, and pancreatic MPO activity, compared to the values obtained in the sham group. In the leptin group, serum levels of MIP-2, sICMA-1, TNF-α, and IL-1β, pancreatic MPO activity, CD40 expression in pancreas and lung tissues, and NOx level in the lung tissue were lower compared to those in the AP group. Histologically, pancreatic and lung damage was less severe following leptin administration.

CONCLUSION: Exogenous leptin attenuates inflamma-tory changes, and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide levels, and CD40 expression in cerulein-induced AP and may be protective in AP associated ALI.

Keywords: Leptin; Acute pancreatitis; Lung injury; CD40; Cytokines