Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the protective action of thymol towards l-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) by studying the function of rat peritoneal immune cells.
Main methods: Rat peritoneal exudate cells (PECs), obtained 24 h after the injection of l-arginine (350 mg/100 g of b.w.), were evaluated for mitochondrial activity (MTT assay), adherence capacity (methylene-blue assay), and phagocyte enzyme activity (myeloperoxidase, MPO, assay). The activity of α-amylase and free MPO, as well as the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS, i.e. O2-), were determined in the peritoneal exudate fluid. Also, serum α-amylase activity determination and pancreatic tissue pathohistological analysis were performed.
Key finding: The administered thymol (50 and 100 mg/kg, per os) caused a significant decrease in the PEC mitochondrial activity and adherence capacity when compared with these functions of PECs isolated from rats with AP. A decrease in cellular MPO activity, as well as in the levels of ROS, α-amylase, and free MPO in peritoneal exudates was found in animals treated with thymol compared to the control animals with AP. Additionally, thymol administration prevented an increase in serum α-amylase activity, accompanied by the decrease in pancreatic tissue damage that follows l-arginine application.
Significance: The present results showed that thymol exerts significant immunomodulatory properties and a potential to silence PEC functions in inflammatory conditions such as the AP induced by l-arginine.
Keywords: Acute pancreatitis (AP); Peritoneal exudate cells (PECs); Rats; Thymol; l-arginine.
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