Anti-inflammatory actions of perfluorooctanoic acid and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) α and γ in experimental acute pancreatitis

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) α and γ were investigated for potential anti-inflammatory effects in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. PFOA significantly reduced both leukocyte accumulation and prostanoid synthesis. The PPAR-α agonist clofibrate had no effect on leukocyte activation but significantly inhibited prostanoid synthesis whereas the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone significantly reduced leukocyte activation but did not affect synthesis of prostaglandins in the pancreas. Neither PFOA, nor clofibrate or rosiglitazone had an effect on the formation of the inflammatory edema or elevated levels of lipase activity in the blood serum. In summary, PFOA attenuates the accumulation of activated leukocytes and reduces the synthesis of prostanoids in the pancreas during cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. An activation of PPAR-α causes inhibition of prostanoid synthesis while activation of PPAR-γ inhibits leukocyte activation.