Introduction: The aim of the present work was to elucidate the possible protective role of Verapamil (VPM) and Dantrolene (Da) in controlling experimentally induced early acute pancreatitis (AP) in male albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Thirty- two adult male wistar-albino rats were divided randomly into: Group I (Control group; n. 8). Group II ((AP) group; n.24): 8 for each experimental subgroup: Subgroup (IIa) untreated AP: each was injected intraperitoneal (IP) by 250mg L- arginine/100g body weight. Subgroup (IIb) AP treated with VPM: each was pre-treated with VPM (0.25mg/100g body weight) by IP injection an hour before L-arginine induction. Subgroup (IIc) AP treated with Da: each was pre-treated with Da (1mg/100g body weight) by IP injection an hour before induction. Twenty-four hours following L-arginine injection, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under anesthesia by IP injection of pentobarbital at dose of 50mg/Kg body weight. Serological assessment of serum lipase and amylase, histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and morphometric studies were done. Biochemical Study for Malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, trypsin and Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) assessment by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed. All studies were followed by statistical analysis.
Results: Subgroup IIa showed morphological changes indicating inflammation and degeneration that regressed in subgroups IIb & IIc with more obvious regression in subgroup IIb. The mean values of serum (s) amylase and lipase indicated a significant increase in AP subgroup compared to control and treated subgroups also a significant decrease was found in verapamil subgroup versus dantrolene subgroups. Morphometric and biochemical quantitative values were confirmative.
Conclusions: Verapamil and Dantrolene therapy proved definite protective effect, more obvious in response to verapamil, in controlling experimentally induced early AP in male albino rats.