Influence of puerarin treatment on endothelin and nitric oxide of plasma in patients with acute pancreatitis

Objective To study changes of endothelin (ET),nitric oxide (NO) in plasma and treatment effect of puerarin on acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods Seventy-three patients with AP were randomly divided into 2 groups: puerarin group (38 cases, puerarin plus basic treatment) and non puerarin group (35 cases, basic treatment ). ET was measured by radioimmunoassay, NO was measured by nitrate reductase and plasma amylase and uric amylase were determined by Somogyi before and after the treatment.Twenty healthy persons were recruited as control group. Results The levels of ET[(40.6±15.8) ng/L]and NO[(62.3±27.6) mmol/L] decreased after treatment in puerarin group, which were significantly lower than those in non puerarin group[(82.3±20.6) ng/L, (92.6±24.8 ) mmol/L]( P < 0.05 ). Compared with those in non puerarin group[(1182.0±520.0), (5623.0±1326.0) U/L and (5.12±0.76)d], plasma amylase and uric amylase [(802.0±170.0), (4102.0±1126.0) U/L], the time of abdominal pain relief [(2.20±0.72) d] was lower in puerarin group (P<0.05). Conclusions The plasma ET and NO might play a key role in the development of AP. Therapeutic effect of puerarin is sure in AP. Key words: Pancreatitis; Puerarin; Endothelins; Nitric oxide