The 5-HT₃ Receptor Antagonist Ondansetron Attenuates Pancreatic Injury in Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis Model

The 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptor (5-HT₃R) antagonist ondansetron has been clinically approved as an anti-emetic agent. Recent findings indicate that ondansetron has anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the present study was to assess the therapeutic action of ondansetron in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis model. Male-BALB/c mice were used in the present study. Acute pancreatitis was induced by an hourly injection of cerulein. Ondansetron was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 3 mg/kg. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of 5-HT₃ R in pancreatic tissue was assessed with RT-PCR. Plasma amylase, lipase, and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were evaluated. Pancreatic injury was histopathologically graded, and myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive cells were counted. 5-HT₃R mRNA was expressed in the pancreas. In acute pancreatitis model mice, amylase, lipase, and IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the blood. With ondansetron treatment, these levels were significantly decreased. Histopathological evaluation revealed that ondansetron attenuated the inflammatory damage in acute pancreatitis. The number of infiltrated neutrophils stained by MPO was decreased by ondansetron treatment. In summary, the 5-HT₃R antagonist ondansetron attenuated pancreatic injury through its anti-inflammatory action. These findings suggest that ondansetron may potentially be of use for therapy of acute pancreatitis.