[Effect of octreotide on the clinical course of acute pancreatitis and levels of free oxygen radicals and antioxidants].

Twenty-one patients with a medium severe form of acute pancreatitis were divided into two groups. Eleven were treated with octreotide, 200 micrograms s.c. every 8 hours, combined with standard conservative treatment, 10 patients had the same treatment but without octreotide. In the octreotide-treated group the level of free oxygen radicals and important antioxidants--vitamins A, E and C--was assessed. In the octreotide-treated group the authors found after five days normal levels of originally elevated free oxygen radicals and a significant increase of the vitamin C level. As compared with the control group, in the octreotide group the period of hospitalization was significantly shorter (9.8 +/- 3.2 vs. 13.7 +/- 4.7). The number of complications was not affected.