Promoting effect of adipocytokine, apelin, on hepatic injury in caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the potential apelin effect on hepatic injury in caerulein (Cn) -induced AP in rats. Experimental protocol: Thirty male albino rats were divided into three groups, 10 rats each: control group: received 0.9% NaCl solution. AP group: received (Cn, 50 μg/kg/h, i.p.) for 6 h. Apelin-13 treated AP group: received apelin 13, 50 nmol/kg/h, i.p, immediately after each Cn injection, starting after the second Cn dose. 12 h after the last Cn injection, the rats were sacrificed, and serum amylase, lipase, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactic dehydrogenase activity (LDH) were assayed. The hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) levels, caspase-3 activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were assessed, while myeloperoxidase (MPO) was determined in pancreatic and hepatic tissues. Results: Cn injection caused severe AP, with marked hepatic damage. The exogenous apelin reduced Cn-induced pancreatic and hepatic injury with reduction in hepatic oxidative, apoptotic and inflammatory markers, pancreatic and hepatic MPO activity with modulation of inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Apelin could be protective in AP associated liver damage, possibly through anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic mechanisms with modulating the inflammatory mediators. Keywords: Acute pancreatitis, Liver injury, Apelin-13, Caerulein, Phospholipase A2, Amylase