TY - JOUR T1 - Pentoxifylline Ameliorates Cerulein-Induced Pancreatitis in Rats: Role of Glutathione and Nitric Oxide JF - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO - J Pharmacol Exp Ther SP - 670 LP - 676 VL - 293 IS - 2 AU - Luis Gómez-Cambronero AU - Bruno Camps AU - José García de la Asunción AU - Miguel Cerdá AU - Antonio Pellín AU - Federico V. Pallardó AU - Julio Calvete AU - Jacob H. Sweiry AU - Giovanni E. Mann AU - José Viña AU - Juan Sastre Y1 - 2000/05/01 UR - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/293/2/670.abstract N2 - Reactive oxygen radicals, nitric oxide, and cytokines have been implicated in the initiation of pancreatic tissue damage and impairment of the pancreatic microcirculation in acute pancreatitis. Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative with rheologic and marked anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines. We have examined whether pentoxifylline ameliorates interstitial edema, inflammatory infiltrate, and glutathione depletion associated with cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Cotreatment of animals with pentoxifylline significantly reduced cerulein-induced pancreatic inflammation and edema and attenuated the depletion of pancreatic glutathione and the increase in serum lipase activity, nitrate, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels. Pentoxifylline also prevented both mitochondrial swelling and damage to mitochondrial cristae caused by cerulein. Our findings provide an experimental basis for using pentoxifylline to attenuate inflammatory responses within the pancreas in acute pancreatitis and as an adjuvant in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics ER -