The Effects of Hypertonic Saline Solution, Ascorbic Acid and Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin on Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis in Rats

Objective: We investigated the biochemical and histopathological effects of vitamin C, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and hypertonic solution on acute necrotizing pancreatitis and on lungs as a terminal organ.

Materials and Methods: We included 48 Sprague-Dawley rats in the study, which were divided into six groups, each with eight rats. The rats in group 1 were sacrificed immediately, in order to determine normal reference values for biochemical and histopathological data. Twenty-four hours after giving intraperitoneal L-arginine to the remaining five groups, development of pancreatitis was shown through assessment of amylase and CRP values. Rats in group 2 were sacrificed at the 24th hour and assigned to the control group for biochemical or the histopathological data groups, in which pancreatitis was induced. The rats in the remaining four groups were given intravenous (IV) isotonic NaCl (group 3), IV vitamin C (group 4), subcutaneous LMWH (group 5), IV hypertonic NaCl (group 6) between 24- 48 hours. Each group was assessed with respect to amylase, Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), bicarbonate, base excess (BE), Ca++, ascorbic acid, and leukocyte at hour 72. Additionally, pancreatic and lung tissue was histopathologically evaluated.

Results: In the treatment groups, amylase and leukocyte levels at the 72nd hour were found to be significantly lower than at the 24th hour (p<0.05). The most significant decrease in amylase and leukocyte levels was found in group 6, and damage to the pancreas was found to be lowest in groups 4 and 6.

Conclusion: We observed that in rats, hypertonic NaCl solution and vitamin C reduced the amount of necrosis in the pancreas.