SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF TIROFIBAN HYDROCHLORIDE (TH) IN CERULEIN-INDUCED ACUTE PANCREATITIS

Abstract

Introduction: Tissue perfusion plays an important role in pancreatitis. Free oxygen radicals also have some triggering roles in the severity of acute pancreatitis. Tirofiban hydrochloride (TH) is being used for ischemic disorders for many years and is known as an antiaggregant drug. We aimed to determine the therapeutic effects of tirofiban in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in this animal study. Materials and methods: Twenty-four Wistar-Albino male rats were divided into three equal groups; Group I: Sham-operated group, Group II: cerulein induced pancreatitis group, Group III: cerulein induced pancreatitis + treatment group (intraperitoneal 0.25 mg tirofiban hydrochloride in 1 ml isotonic saline solution). Amylase and lipase levels were studied in blood samples and malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were measured in tissue samples. Results: Amylase and lipase levels were elevated in acute pancreatitis group. The levels of both enzymes were decreased after the rats were medicated with TH. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was higher in pancreatitis group without treatment. There were no significant differences between groups according to glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that TH has an antiaggregant effect and may reduce the progression and improve the healing of acute pancreatitis.