The expression of IL-10 and IL-18 in severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To investigate the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine(Interleukin-10) and inflammatory cytokine(Interleukin-18)in severe acute pancreatitis(SAP). Methods Forty-two SD rats were randomly divided into control group and SAP group. The model of SAP was established by injection of 3.5% sodium taurocholate (1 ml/kg) into the bili-pancreatic duct. The levels of lung wet weight index,ascites,serum amylase,IL-10 and IL-18 were quantitatively measured at the different time point. Intrapulmonary expressions of IL-10 mRNA and IL-18 mRNA were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The histopathology of pancrease and lung were observed under the light microscope. Results The level of serum amylase,IL-10,IL-18,lung wet weight index,lung injury score,ascites,intrapulmonary expressions of IL-10 mRNA and IL-18 mRNA were significantly increased in SAP group,with statistical significance compared with the control group (P0.05). The level of IL-18 was negatively correlated with the level of IL-10(r=-0.60,P0.01).The level of serum IL-10 and intrapulmonary expression of IL-10mRNA are negatively correlated with the lung injury score(r=-0.66,P0.01;r=-0.60,P0.01). The level of serum IL-18 and intrapulmonary expression of IL-18mRNA were positively correlated with lung injury score(r=0.74,P0.01;r=0.79,P0.01).Conclusion IL-18 concentration may play a key role in the course of acute lung injury during severe acute pancreatitis,and IL-10 exerts the protective effect in this process.