Bicarbonated Ringer’s solution improves L-arg-induced acute pancreatitis in rats via the NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways

Abstract

Objective

Bicarbonated Ringer’s solution (BRS), as a new generation of crystalline fluid, has been widely used for intravenous fluid resuscitation in patients with shock diseases. The purpose of our study is to investigate the intervention effects and potential mechanisms of BRS on L-arg-induced AP in rats.

Methods

The AP model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 20% L-arg. BRS was infused immediately following the previous L-arg injection. The pancreatic tissue was harvested for histological examination. The serum levels of amylase and lipase activity, lactic acid, proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were determined. The peroxide and antioxidant activities in the pancreatic tissue were measured. The protein and mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB, TNF-α, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related Factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 were determined by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis.

Results

Pancreatic tissue injuries were obviously alleviated, with a significant increase in normal acinar cells after BRS treatment. The serum levels of amylase, lipase, lactic acid, IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly decreased, while IL-10 was obviously increased by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway and TNF-α. Moreover, Nrf2 pathway and HO-1 were promoted by BRS treatment, which resulted in significantly reduced malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species levels. In contrast, antioxidant activities, including glutathione peroxidase and so on, were markedly increased after BRS treatment.

Conclusions

Bicarbonated Ringer’s solution improves L-arg-induced acute pancreatitis in rats through the NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways, indicating that BRS holds promise as a priority in fluid resuscitation to treat acute pancreatitis.

Keywords:

• Acute pancreatitis
• bicarbonated Ringer’s solution
• NF-κB pathways
• Nrf2 pathways

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Scientific Research Fund of Anhui Medical University [2021xkj034] and Clinical Research cultivation Program of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University [2020LCYB18].