J Korean Med Sci.  2003 Aug;18(4):520-526. 10.3346/jkms.2003.18.4.520.

The Role of Nitric Oxide in Experimental Cerulein Induced Pancreatitis

• Um SH
• Kwon YD
• Kim CD
• Lee HS
• Jeen YT
• Chun HJ
• Lee SW
• Choi JH
• Ryu HS
• Hyun JH

• KMID: 648903
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2003.18.4.520

Abstract

An enhanced formation of nitric oxide(NO), due to the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), has been implicated in the pathogenesis of shock and inflammation, but its role in acute pancreatitis still remains controversial. To clarify the role of NO in acute pancreatitis, the present experiment investigated the expression of iNOS and the effect of NOS inhibition on cerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats. Group I received intraperitoneal (ip) injection of normal saline. Group II received two ip injections of cerulein (20 microgram/kg). Group III received injections of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl este(L-NAME) (30 mg/kg) with cerulein. Group IV received L-arginine(250 mg/kg) with cerulein and L-NAME. The expression of iNOS in the pancreas was examined by western blot analysis. The plasma concentration of NO metabolites was measured. The severity of pancreatitis was assessed by measuring serum amylase, pancreas water content and histopathological examination. Compared with controls, the cerulein group displayed significantly increased expression of iNOS and raised plasma NO metabolites. Treatment with L-NAME significantly decreased hyperamylasemia, plasma NO level, and the extent of pancreatic injury. Treatment with L-arginine reversed the effects of L-NAME. These findings suggest that an enhanced formation of NO by iNOS plays an important role in the development of acute pancreatitis, and inhibition of NO production has the beneficial effects in reducing pancreas injury.

Keyword

Pancreatitis; Acute Necrotizing; Inducible Nitric-Oxide Synthase; Nitric Oxide; Caerulein

MeSH Terms

Amylases/blood
Animals
Arginine/pharmacology
Blotting, Western
Caerulein/*pharmacology
Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
Inflammation
Male
NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester/pharmacology
Necrosis
Nitric Oxide/metabolism/*physiology
Nitric-Oxide Synthase/metabolism
Pancreatitis/*chemically induced/*metabolism
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley