The Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Fibrosis in Experimental Rat Chronic Pancreatitis

In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of N-acetylcysteine on fibrosis, atrophy and oxidative stress with chronic pancreatitis in an animal model. Chronic pancreatitis is stimulated by injection of 0.4 ml, 2% trinitrobenzene sulfanic acid (TNBS) into major pancreatic ducts of the rats. 60 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four group; Group I (n=15): saline (control), Grup II (n=15): fibrosis + N-acetylcysteine (NAC), Grup III (n=15): fibrosis (TNBS), Grup IV: ethanol. At the end of the 8th week, all rats were sacrificed, and rat pancreatic tissues, oxidative stress markers and progression of fibrosis and atrophy were examined. superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutation peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were significantly higher with respect to TNBS group (respectively p<0.001 and p<0.001); whereas tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were found significantly lower in NAC group (p<0.001). Histopathological analysis of the tissues revealed that histopathological score of NAC group was significantly lower than TNBS group (p<0.003), and was found a significant relation between increase in oxidative stress and histopathological score (histopathological score/MDA: p<0.03, SOD: p<0.04, GSH-Px: p<0,02). In conclusion, administration of NAC decreases oxidative stress in chronic pancreatitis and has beneficial effects on fibrosis and atrophy