Modulation of L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis by meloxicam and/or L-carnitine in rats

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease, where oxidative stress, subsequently inflammatory mediators activation play a pivotal role. Currently, no definite treatment exists and therapy is mainly supportive that directed to inhibit local pancreatic injury and systemic inflammatory complications. This study is presented to explore whether anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant drug could ameliorate L-arginine-induced AP.Methods: Rats were sub-grouped randomly into five groups. Control group, AP was provoked by a single intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine (250 mg/100g), rat treated with meloxicam (4 mg/kg, IP), animals treated with L-carnitine (500 mg/kg, IP), and rats were treated with both meloxicam and L-carnitine. All treatments were once daily for 7 consecutive days and started 1 hr later after L-arginine administration. Serum and tissues samples were prepared for biochemical analysis. Histopathological examination for the other pancreatic tissues was done.Results: L-arginine significantly elevated serum activity of amylase and lipase enzymes, while notably reduced serum calcium level. Moreover, L-arginine markedly increased the pancreatic tissues content of tumor necrosis factor-α, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide. In addition, L-arginine significantly increased pancreatic activity of myeloperoxidase, while markedly depleted glutathione level. Treatment with either meloxicam or L-carnitine significantly attenuated L-arginine-induced biochemical changes. On the other hand, co-administration of both meloxicam and carnitine has an ameliorative effect greater than each drug alone.Conclusion: Treatment with both meloxicam and L-carnitine is a more effective than each of them alone which is attributed to augmentation their antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory effects