학술논문

Apamin Attenuated Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis by Inhibition of JNK Pathway in Mice
Original Article
Document Type
Academic Journal
Source
Digestive Diseases and Sciences. October 2013, Vol. 58 Issue 10, p2908, 10 p.
Subject
Pancreatitis
Venoms
Neuropeptides
Amylases
Cell death
Venom
Language
English
ISSN
0163-2116
Abstract
Author(s): Gi-Sang Bae [sup.1], Kwang-Ho Heo [sup.2], Kyoung-Chel Park [sup.4], Sun Bok Choi [sup.4], Il-Joo Jo [sup.4], Seung-Hee Seo [sup.4], Dong-Goo Kim [sup.4], Joon-Yeon Shin [sup.4], Dae-Gil Kang [sup.1] [sup.5], [...]
Background/Aim We have previously reported that bee venom (BV) has a protective role against acute pancreatitis (AP). However, the effects of apamin, the major compound of BV, on AP have not been determined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of apamin on cerulein-induced AP. Methods AP was induced via intraperitoneal injection of supramaximal concentrations of the stable cholecystokinin analogue cerulein (50 [mu]g/kg) every hour for 6 times. In the apamin treatment group, apamin was administered subcutaneously (10, 50, or 100 [mu]g/kg) at both 18 and 1 h before the first cerulein injection. The mice were sacrificed at 6 h after the final cerulein injection. Blood samples were obtained to determine serum amylase and lipase levels, as well as cytokine production. The pancreas and lung were rapidly removed for morphologic and histological examination, myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, we isolated the pancreatic acinar cells to specify the role of apamin in AP. Results Pre-treatment with apamin inhibited histological damage, pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, serum level of amylase and lipase, MPO activity, and cytokine production. In addition, apamin treatment significantly inhibited cerulein-induced pancreatic acinar cell death. Furthermore, apamin treatment inhibited the cerulein-induced activation of c-Jun NH.sub.2-terminal kinases (JNK). Conclusions These results could suggest that apamin could protect against AP by inhibition of JNK activation.