The Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha and Interleukin-1beta in Experimental Acute Pancreatitis of the Rat

Kim, Kwang Hee; Lee, Goo; Lee, Hong Sik; Kim, Chang Duck; Hyun, Jin Hai; Lim, Chae Seung; Kim, Young Sik; Son, Mi Won; Kim, Won Bae; Ahn, Byoung Ok

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the role of cytokine in acute pancreatitis, we measured serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in experimental acute pancreatitis.
METHODS
Acute pancreatitis (AP) was induced in 8 male Sprague-Dawley rats by giving subcutaneous injection of cerulein three times with one hour interval. Serum levels of amylase, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were measured 1 hour after the last cerulein injection. In addition, measurement of pancreatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and histological evaluation were performed.
RESULTS
Serum level of IL-1beta was increased in AP group than in controls (3.52+/-0.01 vs. 3.54+/-0.01 pg/ml, p<0.05) and that of TNF-alpha was increased from 2.35+/-0.02 to 3.76+/-0.03 pg/ml in experimental acute pancreatitis. MPO activity was also higher in the pancreas of cerulein-induced AP group than normal controls (329.6+/-10.6 vs. 467.3+/-27.9 mU/mg, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were elevated in experimental acute edematous pancreatitis. These results suggest that cytokine may play an important role in the development of AP.