Effects of methylprednisolone on neurocyte apoptosis in rats with severe acute pancrcatitis

Objective To investigate the effects of methylprednisolone on neurocyte apoptosis in rats with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).Methods Thirty-six SD rats were divided into sham operation group,SAP group and methylprednisolone group(12 rats in each group).SAP model was constructed by injecting 5%sodium taurodeoxycholate into biliary-pancreatic duct.Serum amylase,interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α),volume of aseites and histopathological changes of pancreas were determined.The mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in brain tissue were analyzed by RT-PCR.and neuroeyte apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method.Results The levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased:the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in brain tissue was down-regulated;the expression of Bax mRNA was up-regulated;the Bcl-2/Bax ratio Was decreased:the apoptosis of the neurocytes was increased in SAP group.Compared with SAP group,the levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased;the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was unchanged but the expression of Bax mRNA was down-regulated in brain tissue,so the Bcl-2/Bax ratio was elevated significantly;the rate of the ueurocyte apoptosis in brain tissue were reduced in methylprednisolone group.Conclusions The apoptosis of neurocytes in brain tissue may be one of the factors causing pancreatic encephalopathy.Methylprednisoione can inhibit the release of IL-6 and TNF-α.improve the balance of Bcl-2 and Bax expression and decrease the apoptosis of neurocytes in brain tissue. Key words: Panereatitis,acute; Methylprednisolone; Apoptosis; Neurocyte