The effect of cannabinoids on lung injury induced by acute pancreatitis

This study was designed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of cannabinoids on lung injury induced by acute pancreatitis. To create an acute pancreatitis model, cerulein was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 60 micrograms/kilogram 5 times at one hour intervals. Selective cannabinoid 2 receptor agonist JWH133 (10 mg/kg i.p.) was administered 30 minutes before the model was created. Histologic examinations of lung and pancreatic tissues, nuclear factor-kappa B immunohistochemical analysis and biochemical examinations in tissue and serum were performed. Serum lipase level increased statistically significantly in the pathology group. Malondialdehyde levels in the lung increased and superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels decreased, but this was not statistically significant. JWH133 increased superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione levels in pancreatic tissue and glutathione levels in lung tissue, but these increases were not statistically significant. The rate of acinar cell autophagy formation and acinar cell necrosis in pancreatic tissue was increased statistically significantly in the pathology group compared to the control group. JWH133 decreased nuclear factor-kappa B reaction intensity and percentage in pancreas, but this decrease was not statistically significant. In the lung, the percentage of inflammation in the alveolar wall, the percentage of lymphoid inflammation in the respiratory terminal bronchiole wall and lung nuclear factor-kappa B reaction intensity were statistically significantly increased in the pathology group compared to the control group. JWH133 statistically significantly decreased the inflammation rate in the alveolar wall. In this study, the protective effect of cannabinoids on tissue damage and nuclear factor-kappa B pathway in acute pancreatitis-induced lung injury induced by cerulein was investigated. The results obtained will allow the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in lung diseases to be addressed.