EJMS

Abstract

Background: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is the most widely used immunosuppressive agent in organ transplant surgery and autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, CsA induced pancreatitis is an adverse effect usually occurs during its therapeutic use. Oxidative stress is one of the suggested mechanisms that explain such pancreatitis. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural product with high antioxidant potential that is found in mammalian diet.
Aim of the work: to investigate the possible protective potential of ALA in CsA-induced pancreatitis in adult male albino rats histologically.
Material & Methods: The study was conducted on 30 adult male albino rats that were randomly divided into three equal groups. Group I (control group): rats were subdivided among 2 equal subgroups (Ia, Ib) that received isotonic saline in a daily subcutaneous injection and ALA orally respectively. Group II (CsA group): rats were given daily subcutaneous injection of CsA (15 mg/kg bw/day) for 21 days. Group III (CsA & ALA group): that received ALA orally (25 mg/kg b.w./day) in conjunction with daily subcutaneous injection of CsA for 21 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed under anaesthesia. Pancreatic specimens were collected from all rats for light microscopic examination using H & E stain and transmission electron microscopic examination.
Results: Histological examination of group II (CsA group) showed variable histological changes with different severity. Most lobules revealed loss of normal architecture with focal areas of cellular infiltration and extravasation of blood. Some acinar cells appeared swollen with cytoplasmic vacuolations. Marked dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and dense nuclei were also noticed in ultrastructural examination. Examination of group III (CsA & ALA group) revealed marked amelioration of CsA-induced histological alterations of pancreatic acinar cells.
Conclusion: Supplementation with antioxidants as ALA may be useful protective agent against CsA-induced pancreatitis and can be used to improve the therapeutic index of CsA.