Comparison of the efficacy of the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 and electromagnetic fields in cerulein-induced pancreatitis in rats

Abstract

Background: Despite known protocols, acute pancreatitis still has mortality rates of 10% and morbidity rates of 30%, and research continues into alternative therapeutic models for preventing both the inflammation and the complications of pancreatitis. Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of electromagnetic field therapy in acute pancreatitis and to compare the effect of electromagnetic fields with that of the somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 in the treatment of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 equal groups. In group I, cerulein administration was followed by electromagnetic field therapy; group II received only cerulein. In group III (the control group), saline administration was followed by electromagnetic field therapy. In group IV, cerulein administration was followed by SMS 201-995 administration. After the procedure, serum amylase activity was determined for all rats and the pancreas of each rat was assessed histopathologically based on a scoring system in which 0 = no change and 7 = maximum change. A score ≥3 indicates cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Each group contained 12 rats. Statistically significant differences in pathologic pancreatitis scores were noted between groups I and II ( P < 0.001) and between groups II and IV ( P < 0.001). No other between-group differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: Electromagnetic field therapy appears to be as effective as somatostatin therapy in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in this study. It can thus be considered an alternative to somatostatin therapy in the treatment of acute pancreatitis in rats.