Objectives: To evaluate ghrelin serum level changes in animal model of Larginine
induced acute pancreatitis (AP) and the therapeutic effect of
concomitant ghrelin administration.
Materials & Methods: 30 rats were divided into 3 equal groups: Group A;
received intra-peritoneal injection (ipi) of sterile water and Groups B and C
received ipi of L-arginine solution (500 mg/100 g) and group C received 2-
days subcutaneous injections of ghrelin (10 nmol/kg). Fasting blood samples
were obtained, prior to AP induction, 12, 24 and 48-hr after AP induction for
estimation of fasting blood glucose (FBG), plasma insulin (FPI) and serum
lipase, amylase, C.reactive protein(CRP) and ghrelin. At 48-hr, all animals
were sacrificed and pancreas was excised for histopathological examination
and scoring.
Results: Compared to control and pre-induction levels, serum amylase and
lipase levels were significantly high at 12 and 24-hr and declined at 48-hr.
FPI levels were significantly lower at 12 and 24-hr, but non-significantly
elevated at 48-hr. FBG levels were significantly higher at 12 and peaked at
24-hr. Serum CRP levels at 12, 24 and 48-hr were significant high, while
serum ghrelin levels were significantly lower at 12 and 24-hr, but started to
increase at 48-hr. Regression analysis defined serum amylase as significant
positive and FPI level as significant negative early predictor for
histopathological injury. Serum amylase, lipase and CRP levels were
significantly lower at 12, 24 and 48-hr and mean FPI levels were
significantly higher with significantly lower FBG levels at 24 and 48-hr in
group C compared to group B.
Conclusion: FPI and serum ghrelin levels were correlated negatively with
pathological score. Serum ghrelin levels could be used for follow-up of cases
with AP as a prognostic marker. Ghrelin administration ameliorated the
altered pancreatic functions and aids subsidence of inflammation