Therapeutic effect of pentoxifylline versus losartan on experimentally induced acute pancreatitis in adult albino rats: light and electron microscopic study

Aim of the study: To study the therapeutic benefit of pentoxifylline versus losartan on L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in adult albino rats.Materials and methods: Forty adult male albino rats were used and divided into a control group I, group II which received L-arginine, group III which received L-arginine followed by pentoxifylline and group IV which received L-arginine followed by losartan. Serum amylase and lipase assay was carried out and subjected to statistical analysis. Pancreatic tissue samples were taken and processed for light and transmission electron microscopic examination.Results: Rats that received L-arginine (group II) showed loss of acinar architecture, edema, and zonal degenerative changes. Pentoxifylline-treated animals (group III) revealed apparent small-sized acini with a small amount of electron-lucent secretory granules and the edema was still present in some areas. Rats treated with losartan (group IV) showed an almost normal pancreatic architecture. Most of the acinar cells had normal apical electron-dense zymogen granules, normal rough endoplasmic reticulum, and apparently normal mitochondria. Moreover, there was significant reduction in serum amylase and lipase levels in the losartan-treated group compared with the pentoxifylline-treated group.Conclusion: Losartan was more efficient than pentoxifylline in the treatment of acute pancreatitis induced by L-arginine as indicated by histological and biochemical results