Effect of Zinc on Experimental Acute Pancreatitis in Rats.

Abstract

The effects of zinc on acute pancreatitis were investigated in rats with cerulein-induced pancreatitis and taurocholate+trypsin-induced pancreatitis. The endogenous zinc concentrations in the serum and pancreas after the onset of acute pancreatitis was not different from those in normal rats. Orally administered zinc sulfate was well absorbed and was taken up by the pancreas in normal rats as well as in rats suffering from acute pancreatitis. Oral administration of zinc sulfate before induction of acute pancreatitis reduced the serum amylase activity and the wet weight of the pancreas in rats treated with cerulein or taurocholate+trypsin. Oral administration of zinc sulfate after the induction of acute pancreatitis also reduced the pancreatic wet weight in rats with cerulein-induced pancreatitis, and decreased the mortality rate in rats with taurocholate+trypsin-induced pancreatitis. N-(3-aminopropionyl)-L-histidinato zinc (polaprezinc), a chelate of zinc and L-carnosine, also decreased the serum amylase activity and pancreatic wet weight in both types of pancreatitis. These data suggest that zinc compounds may have a therapeutic effect on acute pancreatitis.