AIMTo observe the levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and platelet activating factor (PAF) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in rats and the efficacy of Ginkgolide B (BN52021) in treating SAP.

METHODSWistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: model group (SAP), treatment group (BN) and negative control group (NC). SAP was induced by retrograde infusion of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct in Wistar rats. NC rats only receive abdominal incision. In groups of SAP and NC rats received the femoral vein injection of isotonic Na chloride 15 minutes after induction of SAP; in BN group,rats received BN52021 instead. After operation rats were sacrificed at 1, 6 and 12 hour for plasma IL-12 and PAF determined with ELISA.

RESULTSAn increase of IL-12 in group BN was observed VS group SAP or group NC at 1 h stage (p = 0.011, P < 0.01). At 6 h or 12 h stage,an increase of IL-12 in group SAP was observed VS group NC (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The plasma level of PAF in group SAP or group BN was increased significantly at 1 h time stage VS group NC (P < 0.001). At 6 h or 12 h stage, a decrease of PAF in group BN or group NC was observed VS group SAP (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIt confirmed that the plasma level of cytokine IL-12 in SAP group was decreased significantly in early stage and it witnessed a remarkable increase of cytokine PAF. The plasma level of IL-12 was increased in early stage but PAF was decreased in rats treatment by BN52021 which inhibited the development of SAP.