Effect of resveratrol on the expression of COX-2 and iNOS in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Objective: To explore the possible mechanism of resveratrol (RES) in improving pancreatic microcirculation in rats with severe acute pancreatitis. Methods: SO rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operation (SO) group, severe acute panceatitis (SAP) group, and resveratrol-treated (RES) group. SAP model was made by injecting 40 g/L sodium taurocholate at a dosage of 0.1 mL/100 g into the biliopancreatic duct. RES (20 mg/kg) was given intravenously after modeling. All rats were sacrificed at 3, 6, and 12 hours after the operation. The pathological changes of pancreatic tissues were observed and scored under microscope. The expressions of cyclcoxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein in pancreatic tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The level of nitrogen monoxide (NO) in pancreatic tissues was measured by NO detection kit. Results: Microscopically, there were apparent pancreatic mesochymal congestion, edema, acinar necrosis and leukocytic infiltration from 3 h to 12 h after SAP model was induced. However, in RES group the above pathological changes were relatively less serious (F<0.05). Compared with those in SO group, the expression of COX-2 and iNOS and the level of NO in SAP group were higher at 3, 6 and 12 h (F<0.05). There was a significantly lower level of COX-2 at 6 and 12 h and lower level of iNOS and NO at 3, 6 and 12 h in RES group compared with those in SAP group (P<0.05). Conclusion: RES can downregulate the expression of COX-2 and iNOS, which might be the mechanism that RES can improve pancreatic microcirculation in SAP.