The role of phospholipase A2 in pancreatitis-associated adrenal injury in severe acute pancreatitis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of group Ⅱ A phospholipase A2 ( sPLA2- Ⅱ A) in pancreatitis-associated adrenal injury. Methods Ninety Wistar rats were divided into sham-operation group,pancreatitis group, and pretreated pancreatitis group with sPLA2 inhibitor. The sPLA2 inhibitor was administered by intravenous injection 30 min before induction of pancreatitis. Rats were killed at 0,3,6, 12, and 24 h time points,respectively. Serum corticosterone was measured. Adrenal injury was evaluated by histological examination as well as sPLA2 activity and sPLA2- Ⅱ A protein analysis. Results After induction of pancreatitis, serum corticosterone was increased after 3 h, and declined after 6 h. Adrenal injury aggravated progressively ,and the sPLA2 activity and expression of sPLA2- Ⅱ A protein in adrenal glands were increased obviously in pancreatitis ( P < 0. 05 ). Pretreatment of sPLA2 inhibitor inhibited effectively sPLA2 activity and sPLA2- Ⅱ A expression in adrenal glands, improved 24 h serum corticosterone levels, and reduced significantly the severity of adrenal histological injury (P <0.05). Conclusion sPLA2-Ⅱ A plays crucial role in pancreatitis-associated adrenal injury. Key words: Pancreatitis; Adrenal injury; Corticosterone; Phospholipase A2