The effect of an intraperitoneal injection of melatonin on serum amylase levels in acute pancreatitis.

Abstract

CONTEXT: Several experimental studies have been carried out to explain the physiopathological mechanisms and to introduce endocrinological, enzymatic, biochemical and histopathological changes in organisms during acute pancreatitis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an intraperitoneal injection of melatonin on serum amylase levels. DESIGN: Experimental acute pancreatitis was experimentally caused through pancreatic duct ligation in 20 Winstar Albino rats. The rats were then divided into two groups: control and melatonin groups. INTERVENTION: The serum amylase level was measured on the 7th day after acute pancreatitis had developed. In the melatonin group, an intraperitoneal injection of melatonin (20 mg/kg/day) was performed starting from the 2(nd) day after pancreatic duct ligation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The levels of serum amylase were measured with an auto analyzer. RESULTS: It was found that the mean (+/-SD) level of serum amylase in the control group was 947+/-182 IU/mL while it was 358+/-177 IU/mL in the experimental group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The 20 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal injection of melatonin which was carried out for one week attenuated the serum amylase levels to a statistically significant degree. The researchers believe that intraperitoneal injections of melatonin decrease the severity of acute pancreatitis.