Nimesulide may be more efficient than allopurinol in protecting pancreas from acute ischemia/reperfusion injury in an animal model.

OBJECTIVE To determine the influence of allopurinol and nimesulide in the protection of the pancreas from acute ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 30 rabbits were divided into 3 groups, group A: acute I/R only; group B: allopurinol (30 mg/kg) was administered intravenously 10 minutes before ischemia; group C: nimesulide (50 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally 20 minutes before ischemia. Neopterin and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were examined. Pancreatic biopsies were obtained for electron microscopy study. RESULTS The mean neopterin concentrations in group A are 3.56 ± 3.41, 7.74 ± 3.59, and 8.94 ± 2.86 ng/mL, respectively, in the stabilization, ischemia, and reperfusion phases; group B: 3.40 ± 3.03, 7.45 ± 8.89, and 10.64 ± 7.47 ng/mL; and group C: 3.41 ± 2.71, 5.67 ± 2.76, and 4.34 ± 2.87 ng/mL. The mean SOD concentrations in group A are 4.25 ± 1.79, 4.48 ± 1.60, and 5.57 ± 1.15 ng/mL; group B: 4.32 ± 0.81, 5.08 ± 1.10, and 4.45 ± 1.31 ng/mL; and group C: 4.10 ± 0.99, 5.23 ± 1.60, and 3.72 ± 1.30 ng/mL. Histopathology showed the least deterioration in group C. CONCLUSION Nimesulide is more efficient than allopurinol in protecting pancreas from acute I/R injury.