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  • Title: Ultrastructural clues for the protective effect of ascorbic acid and N-acetylcysteine against oxidative damage on caerulein-induced pancreatitis.
    Author: Eşrefoğlu M, Gül M, Ateş B, Yilmaz I.
    Journal: Pancreatology; 2006; 6(5):477-85. PubMed ID: 16864970.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Oxygen free radicals (OFR) have been implicated in the induction of acute pancreatitis (AP). AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ascorbic acid and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), potent antioxidants, against oxidative stress in AP. METHODS: AP was induced by two i.p. injections of caerulein at 2-hour intervals (50 microg/kg BW). One group received additionally an antioxidant mixture composed of L(+)-ascorbic acid (14.3 mg/kg BW) and NAC (181 mg/kg BW) i.p. The rats were sacrificed 12 h after the last injection. Oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Light-microscopic and ultrastructural examination was performed. RESULTS: Formation of vacuoles, mitochondrial damage, and dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, margination and clumping of chromatin were major ultrastructural alterations in AP group. Ascorbic acid + NAC prevented these changes. Small vacuoles were present within the cytoplasm of some of the acinar cells. Pancreas damage was accompanied by an increase in tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p < 0.05), whereas a decrease was seen in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and total glutathione (GSH) levels (p < 0.005). Ascorbic acid + NAC decreased MDA levels but increased CAT, SOD, GPx activities and GSH levels (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ascorbic acid + NAC is potentially capable of limiting pancreatic damage produced during AP via protecting fine structure of acinar cells and tissue antioxidant enzyme activities.
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