Etiology and pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis--current view.

Despite the accumulation of large amounts of physiological and pathophysiological data on acute pancreatitis, our understanding of this disease remains still not clear. Among many etiological causes especial attention is focuse to the role of oxygen derived free radicals as mediators of inflammation. The significant oxidant-antioxidant imbalance found in acute experimental pancreatitis caused a new therapeutic approach eg.: the use of natural antioxidants in patients with pancreatitis.