Hormonal protection in acute pancreatitis by ghrelin, leptin and melatonin.

Acute pancreatitis is a nonbacterial disease of the pancreas. The severe form of this ailment is characterized by high mortality. Whether acute pancreatitis develops as the severe type or resolves depends on the intensity of the inflammatory process which is counteracted by the recruitment of innate defense mechanisms.

Helicobacter pylori promotes apoptosis, activates cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inhibits heat shock protein HSP70 in gastric cancer epithelial cells.

Objective: Apoptosis plays an important role in the regulation of gastric epithelial cell number and gastrointestinal disorders induced by Helicobacter pylori (Hp). Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are involved in cell integrity, cell growth and in gastric mucosa colonized by Hp. COX-2 was implicated in Hp-induced carcinogenesis but the effects of this germ and CagA cytotoxin on HSP70, COX-2, Bax and Bcl-2 in gastric cancer epithelial cells have been little studied.

Melatonin as an organoprotector in the stomach and the pancreas.

Melatonin was thought to originate primarily from the pineal gland and to be secreted during the night, but recent studies revealed that gastrointestinal (GI) tract presents another, many times larger, source of melatonin that contributes significantly to the circulating concentration of this indole. Melatonin may exert a direct effect on GI tissues but its major influence on GI organs seems to occur indirectly, via the brain-gut axis including peripheral receptors, sensory afferent (vagal or sympathetic) pathways and central nervous system (CNS) acting on these organs via autonomic efferents and neuromediators. This article reviews and updates our experience with the fascinating molecule, as related to GI organs, with special focus on secretory activity of the stomach and pancreas and the maintenance of their tissue integrity.

[Protective and therapeutic effect of leptin in acute pancreatitis evoked by ischemia/reperfusion].

Leptin is a hormone implicated in the regulation of the food intake and body weight, but also increasing number of evidence suggest that leptin participates in the regulation of inflammatory processes. The aim of our study was to examine the influence of exogenous leptin administration on the development and the course of acute ischemic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was induced by temporary limitation of pancreatic blood flow, followed by reperfusion.