Molecular Biomarkers & Diagnosis

Pathophysiology of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Therapy in Acute Pancreatitis

Abstract

Susanta Meher, Satyajit Rath, Rakesh Sharma, Bikram Rout, Tushar Subhadarshan Mishra, Prakash Kumar Sasmal and Milthilesh Kumar Sinha

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of pancreas with varied clinical presentation ranging from mild self limiting disease to severe necrotising pancreatitis with high mortality. The exact pathogenesis of the disease is unclear despite extensive research. Recent studies have shown the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of the disease. Many experimental studies have proven the role of oxygen free radicals in the initiation and progression of the disease. Antioxidant therapy has shown promising results in experimental animal models, whereas conflicting result has been seen in clinical studies in humans. This may suggest existence of different pathogenetic mechanism in humans. This review gives an overview of the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis and outcomes of antioxidant therapy as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.