Efficacy of Agmatine Treatment in Experimental Acute Pancreatitis Rat Model.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute pancreatitis which is characterized by pancreatic inflammation can sometimes be difficult to treat because of limited therapeutic options. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of agmatine in the acute pancreatitis experimental rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An acute pancreatitis model was created with the administration of cerulein in 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats. Agmatine was administered as a protective agent at 5 mg/kg (low dose) and 10 mg/kg (high dose). The rats were divided into 5 groups, each with 8 rats: group 1 (acute pancreatitis); group 2 (acute pancreatitis+low-dose agmatine 5 mg/kg); group 3 (acute pancreatitis+high-dose agmatine 10 mg/kg); group 4 (placebo, acute pancreatitis+saline); and group 5 (sham and saline infusion). All rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the last injection, and the levels of superoxide dismutase, interleukin-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were assessed in blood samples collected via cardiac puncture. Histopathological examination was performed by a pathologist, who was blind to the groups, according to the Schoenberg's pancreatitis scoring index. RESULTS: The amylase (16.67 and 37.89 U/L), glutathione peroxidase (13.62 and 18.44 ng/mL), tumor necrosis factor-α (39.68 and 64 ng/mL), interleukin-1 (484.73 and 561.83 pg/mL), and transforming growth factor-ß (110.52 and 126.34 ng/L) levels were significantly lower and superoxide dismutase (1.29 and 0.98 ng/L) and malondialdehyde (0.99 and 0.96 nmol/mL) levels were significantly higher in group 3 compared to group 1 (P < .05). Moreover glutathione peroxidase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-ß levels were lower, and malondialdehyde levels were higher in the group 3 compared to group 2 (P < .05). Although the Schoenberg's pancreatitis scoring index was not significantly different between the high- and low-dose treatment groups, rats who received high-dose treatment had significantly lower scores compared to those with acute pancreatitis group. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that evaluated the efficacy of agmatine in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis. Agmatine, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, had a protective effect in an experimental rat model of acute pancreatitis.

Golimumab Ameliorates Pancreatic Inflammatory Response in the Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether a new and successful treatment opportunity can be provided in acute pancreatitis and may prevent symptomatic treatments and show its effect through etiopathogenesis. Therefore, we want to investigate the efficacy of golimumab in an experimental rat model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. METHODS: A total of 35 rats, including 7 rats in each group, were distributed into 5 groups (sham, acute pancreatitis, placebo, acute pancreatitis+golimumab 5 mg/kg, and acute pancreatitis+golimumab 10 mg/kg). An experimental cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis model was accomplished by intraperitoneal cerulein injections. After sacrification, rat blood samples were collected for amylase, IL-6, and IL-1beta measurements. Histopathological analysis of the pancreas was performed with Tunel and hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: Amylase, IL-6, and IL-1beta levels were found to be increased in the acute pancreatitis group. IL-1beta, amylase, IL-6 levels, and pancreatic inflammation were all significantly decreased in golimumab groups (P < .01). Moreover, in both golimumab groups, golimumab treatment significantly reduced apoptosis in pancreatic tissues (P < .05). Golimumab treatment was found to significantly reduce edema formation, inflammation, vacuolization, and fat necrosis of pancreatic tissues (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Firstly in the literature, we investigated the efficacy of golimumab in the experimental acute pancreatitis model. In the light of our findings, it could be suggested that golimumab may be an effective and safe therapeutic option in the treatment of patients with acute pancreatitis.

Favorable efficacy of adalimumab treatment in experimental acute pancreatitis model.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is a clinical picture with a wide range of symptoms from mild inflammation to multiorgan failure and death. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Adalimumab (ADA) on inflammation and apoptosis in a cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis model in rats. METHODS: Experimental cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis model was created by applying 4 intraperitoneal cerulein injections at 1-h intervals. A total of 40 rats, 8 in each group, were randomly distributed into five groups. In the groups that ADA treatment was given, two different doses of ADA were administered 5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg as low and high doses, respectively. The rats were sacrificed 12 h after the last intraperitoneal administration of ADA. Blood samples were obtained from each rat for amylase, IL-6, and IL-1ß measurements. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stains were used to undertake the histopathological analysis of the pancreas. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end-labeling (TUNEL) method was used to evaluate apoptosis. RESULTS: : Plasma amylase, IL-6, and IL-1ß levels were significantly elevated in acute pancreatitis groups (p < 0.05). It was determined that both low (5 mg/kg) and high doses (20 mg/kg) of ADA ameliorated the parameters (plasma amylase, IL-6, and IL-1ß) (p < 0.05). Although significant improvements were detected in the Schoenberg scoring system and the apoptotic index from the TUNEL method after highdose ADA treatment, no significant amelioration was observed in the histopathological examinations in the low-dose ADA group. DISCUSSION: : It has been determined that the administration of high-dose ADA effectively alleviated the symptoms of acute pancreatitis and reduced the level of apoptosis. In line with the findings of our study, we have predicted that high-dose (20 mg/kg) ADA can be used as an effective and safe drug in the treatment of patients with acute pancreatitis.

Predictive Value of CAR for In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: In the current literature, there is a growing evidence that supports the significant role of inflammation in the progression of viral pneumonia, including patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). AIM: The present study aimed to investigate the predictive value of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) for in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included the data of 275 consecutive COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in a referral pandemic center. The CAR ratio was obtained by dividing the CRP level with albumin level. The study population was divided into tertiles (T1, T2, and T3) according to their admission CAR values. The endpoint of the study was a composite outcome of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: During the in-hospital course, 33 (12%) patients died. The patients classified into T3 group had significantly higher CAR compared those classified into T2 and T1 groups. After the adjustment for the confounders, T3 group had 8.2 (95% CI: 4.2-48.1) times higher rates of in-hospital mortality compared to T1 group (the reference group) in a logistic regression model using CAR values. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the predictive value of CAR for in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients.