CHARACTERISTICS OF ENDOCRINE COMPONENT OF PANCREAS AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF N-ACETYLCYSTEINE IN THE MODEL OF ACUTE RADIATION-INDUCED PANCREATITIS

Abstract

Studies of radiation-induced pancreatic lesions after irradiation with charged particles (electrons, protons) are rare. The effectiveness of certain antioxidants to reduce pancreatic radiation-induced damage is proved. However, the mechanisms of radiation-induced pancreatic damage have not been fully disclosed, and studies of its endocrine component after electron irradiation are rare. The aim of the paper is to assess insulin and glucagon expression in pancreatic islets after administration of N-acetylcysteine in the model of acute post-radiation pancreatitis. Materials and Methods. Wistar rats (Rattus Wistar; n=60) were divided into four experimental groups: Group 1 (n=10) – control; Group 2 (n=20) – fractional local electron irradiation; Group 3 (n=20) – N-acetylcysteine before electron irradiation; Group 4 (n=10) – N-acetylcysteine. All animals were removed from the experiment a week after the last fraction. Pancreatic fragments were prepared for morphological and immunohistochemical (with insulin and glucagon antibodies) studies. Analysis of variance was used for comparison. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed according to the Kruskal–Wallis test and a Bonferroni-corrected Mann-Whitney U test. Results. In an immunohistochemical study, a week after electron irradiation (total radiation dosage – 25 Gy), decreased expression levels of insulin (2 points) and glucagon (1 point) were observed compared with the control group. In the group of pre-irradiation administration of N-acetylcysteine, a week after electron irradiation, the number of immunopositive insulocytes (2–3 points) and glucagonocytes (2 points) was close to control values. Conclusion. Seven-day local irradiation with electrons (total radiation dosage – 25 Gy) leads to a decrease in the endocrine activity of insulocytes and glucagonocytes, which is partially preserved after pre-irradiation administration of N-acetylcysteine, indicating its protective effect.