Protective effect of GSH on lung injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the protective effect of GSH on lung injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) and investigate the mechanism of severe acute pancreatitis associated lung injury. Methods Fifty-four Spragwe Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, model(SAP)group and herbal group. Rats in model group and herbal group were induced pancreatitis by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatobiliary duct. Animals were killed at 3h, 6h, 12h after injection. The serum amylase was examined at 3h, 6h, 12h after injection. Pulmonary tissue fluid content was measured.The expression of pulmonary TNF-α mRNA and LIF mRNA was detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The serum level of amylase was lowered significantly in herbal group in comparision with that in model group (P<0.05) and pulmonary tissue fluid content in herbal group was reduced compared with model group (P<0.05). Similarly, the level of pulmonary TNF-α mRNA and LIF mRNA expressions was both significantly reduced in herbal group compared with model group (P<0.05). LIF mRNA was not examined in normal control group. Conclusion Treatment with GSH can prevent lung injury of rats with SAP. Key words: GSH; Severe acute pancreatitis; Lung injury; TNF-α; LIF