Preventive role of genistein in experimental chronic pancreatitis model

Preventive Role Of Genistein In Experimental Chronic Pancreatitis ModelIn the present study, we evaluated preventive role of genistein, a phytoestrogen with antiinflamatuar and antioxidant properties, in experimental chronic pancreatitis (CP) model.Eight weeks old 60 Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 121 and 256 grams were randomly divided into four equal groups. At the beginning of the study, dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) was injected to the tail vein of the rats in the second, third, and fourth groups. During the whole experiment 0.5 ml/day %0.9 NaCl was injected subcutaneously to the group placebo. 0.2 mg/kg/day genistein was injected subcutaneously to group 3 (genistein prevention: GP) starting one day before study and during the whole experiment. After the fourth weeks, genistein at 0.2 mg/kg/day was injected subcutaneously to the fourth group (genistein treatment: GT) during two weeks. Rats in the first, second, and third group were killed after four weeks. Rats in the fourth group were killed after sixth weeks. Blood samples were collected and tissue samples were prepared. Urine samples were collected one day before. Glucose, amylase, lipase, TNF-?, TGF-ß, pancreas MDA and urine OH-proline levels were measured. Fibrosis, inflammation and necrosis in the pancreas examined histopathologically.TGF-ß, tissue MDA, Hydroxyproline and lipase (p<0.005 in all) levels were significantly lower in GT group compared to the placebo group. In GP group, lipase (p<0.05) levels were significantly lower compared to the placebo group. Histopathologically, fibrosis in GP and GT groups were significantly lower than in the placebo group. There was no necrosis and a minimal leukocyte infiltration in the DBTC injected groups.Genistein prevents experimental CP via either direct antioxidant action or decreasing the levels of TGF-ß related to the oxidative injury and attenuates the existing pancreatic fibrosis by improving the biochemical and histopathological abnormalities.Key words: Chronic pancreatitis, oxidative stress, pancreatic fibrosis, genistein