[The role of oxygen radicals in acute pancreatitis. Clinical and experimental results of therapy with free radical scavengers]. / Die Bedeutung der Sauerstoffradikale bei akuter Pankreatitis. Klinische und experimentelle Ergebnisse der Radikalenfängertherapie.

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies support the theory that oxygen free radicals (OR) are involved in the development of tissue damage in all forms of experimental acute pancreatitis. OR are generated in an early phase of the disease before tissue damage is detectable by histology. The pathomechanism that leads to this oxidative stress is not fully understood. The efficacy of scavenger treatment was clearly proven in most models of experimental acute pancreatitis. In first clinical trials applying antioxidant treatment with selenium show favorable results in reducing the lipidperoxidation and improving the antioxidant status. However these preliminary results but must be supported in a larger series of patients to allow proper evaluation of patient outcome.