RESUMO
Endotoxin is a lipopolysaccaride molecule derived from Gram-Ve bacterial cell wall. It acts as a potent signaling molecule which elicits a systemic inflammatory response syndrome [SIRS] defined as sepsis. This syndrome is considered to be the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. Dietary antioxidant vitamins could protect against endotoxin damage. The present study was conducted to illustrate the histological changes in pancreatic acini of albino rat in response to endotoxin administration and the possible protective role of vitamin C. In this study twenty four adult male albino rats were used and divided into four groups, [six rats each]. Group I [Control group]. Group II [Vitamin C treated group] was given vitamin C orally in a dose level of 18 mg/kg body weight once daily for two weeks. Group III [Endotoxin treated group] was given single dose of endotoxin at a dose level of 5 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. Group IV [Protective group] was given oral vitamin C in a dose level of 18 mg/kg body weight daily for two weeks prior to endotoxin administration [5mg/kg] as in group II. Microscopical examination of H and E stained sections of the endotoxin treated group [group III] showed severely affected pancreatic acini with loss of the normal architectural pattern. Ultrastructurally, dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasmic vacuolation, zymogen granule depletion and loss of polarity were the commonly encountered lesions in association with nuclear changes. In Group IV vitamin C reduced endotoxin toxicity to pancreatic acini as revealed by presentation of the pancreatic architecture to be nearly similar to that of the control group. It is concluded that vitamin C had a protective effect to pancreatic acini against endotoxin induced pancreatitis