Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist reduces the severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis in rats

AIM: To determine the effects of prophylactic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR gamma) agonist administration in an experimental model Of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (post-ERCP) acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Post-ERCP pancreatitis was induced in male Wistar rats by infusion of contrast medium into the pancreatic duct. In additional group, rosiglitazone, a PPAR gamma agonist, was administered 1 h before infusion of contrast medium. Plasma and pancreas samples were obtained 6 h after the infusion. RESULTS: Infusion of contrast medium into the pancreatic duct resulted in an inflammatory process characterized by increased lipase levels in plasma, and edema and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) in pancreas. This result correlated with the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B) and the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression in pancreatic cells. Rosiglitazone reduced the increase in lipase and the level of edema and the increase in myeloperoxidase as well as the activation of NF kappa B and iNOS expression. CONCLUSION: A single oral dose of rosiglitazone, given 1 h before post-ERCP pancreatitis induction is effective in reducing the severity of the subsequent inflammatory process. The protective effect of rosiglitazone was associated with NF kappa B inhibition and the blockage of leukocyte infiltration in pancreas. (C) 2006 The WJG Press. All rights reserved.