Previously, we found that the University of North Carolina cystic fibrosis (UNC-CF) mouse had more severe experimental acute pancreatitis (AP) than wild-type (WT) mice characterized by exuberant pancreatic inflammation and impaired acinar apoptosis. Because exon 10 CFTR gene mutations exhibit different phenotypes in tissues such as the mouse lung, we tested the hypothesis that DeltaF508-CF mice...

Activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is the key step in the development of pancreatic fibrosis, a common pathological feature of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the TGF-β superfamily, have anti-fibrogenic functions, in contrast to TGF-β, in the kidney, lung, and liver. However, it is not known whether BMPs...

The renin-angiotensin system contributes to pathological processes in a variety of organs. In the pancreas, blocking the angiotensin II (AII) type 1 receptor (AT1) attenuates pancreatic fibrogenesis in animal models of pancreatitis. Because the role of the AII type 2 receptor (AT2) in modulating pancreatic injury is unknown we investigated the role of AT2 in pancreatic injury and fibrosis. Panc...

Previous studies have focused on the effects of propylene glycol alginate sodium sulfate  (PSS)  against  thrombosis,  but  the  anti-inflammatory  potential  is  unknown.  Therefore,  we  specifically focused on the protective effects of PSS on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP)  using a mouse model, and investigated the mechanism of PSS on autophagy and apoptosis via the  Mitogen-activa...

OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to assess the preventive/therapeutic effects of combined administration of resveratrol and guggulsterone on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice. METHODS Acute pancreatitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cerulein in mice. Serum amylase assay and histology were performed to measure the severity of pancreatitis. Western blotting and multip...

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the mechanism by which activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ promotes apoptosis of acinar cells in pancreatitis. METHODS AR42j cells pretreated with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist pioglitazone were activated by cerulein as an in vitro model of acute pancreatitis. Inflammatory cytokines and am...

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of cholecystokinin (CCK)-octapeptide (OP) and its amphibian analogue cerulein infusions on duodenal myoelectric and motor activities, as well as to compare the effects of CCK peptides on duodenal bulb and duodenal motility in non-fasted conscious rams. Five rams underwent implantation of bipolar platinum electrodes to the duodenal bulb, and dis...

Acute pancreatitis is a morbid inflammatory condition of pancreas with limited specific therapy. Enhanced oxidative stress plays an important role in induction and progression of acute pancreatitis. So reducing oxidative stress may relieve this pathogenic process. Echium amoenum Fisch. and Mey has been implemented in Iranian folk medicine for several centuries. Antioxidant, analgesic, immunomod...

Cholecystokinin (CCK) influences gastrointestinal motility, by acting on central and peripheral receptors. The aim of the present study was to determine whether CCK has any effect on isolated duodenum longitudinal muscle activity and to characterize the mechanisms involved. Isolated segments of the rat proximal duodenum were mounted for the recording of isometric contractions of longitudinal mu...

BACKGROUND We evaluated the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological effects of Montelukast on pancreatic damage in an experimental acute pancreatitis model created by cerulein in rats before and after the induction of pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty rats were divided into 4 groups with 10 rats each. The study groups were: the Cerulein (C) group, the Cerulein + early Monteluka...