Promoting effect of adipocytokine, apelin, on hepatic injury in caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate the potential apelin effect on hepatic injury in caerulein (Cn) -induced AP in rats.Experimental protocolThirty male albino rats were divided into three groups, 10 rats each: control group: received 0.9% NaCl solution. AP group: received (Cn, 50 μg/kg/h, i.p.) for 6 h. Apelin-13 treated AP group: received apelin 13, 50 nmol/kg/h, i.p, immediately after each Cn injection, starting after the second Cn dose. 12 h after the last Cn injection, the rats were sacrificed, and serum amylase, lipase, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactic dehydrogenase activity (LDH) were assayed. The hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) levels, caspase-3 activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were assessed, while myeloperoxidase (MPO) was determined in pancreatic and hepatic tissues.ResultsCn injection caused severe AP, with marked hepatic damage. The exogenous apelin reduced Cn-induced pancreatic and hepatic injury with reduction in hepatic oxidative, apoptotic and inflammatory markers, pancreatic and hepatic MPO activity with modulation of inflammatory cytokines.ConclusionApelin could be protective in AP associated liver damage, possibly through anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic mechanisms with modulating the inflammatory mediators.