Abstract: Objective: To observe the antioxidant effect and the cytoprotective effect from morphological point of view of exgenous sulfhydryl compound on pancreatic acina r cells in the cou rse of acute necrotic pancreatitis. Methods: Male Wistar mice were divided rand omly into three groups: Group A and B served as animal models, A (n=18) with normal saline therapy, whi le B (n=18) with Tiopronin therapy; and group C (n=9) a normal control. Animals were killed 4, 6 and 12 h after operation respectively. Malondiadehyde(M DA) was analyze d and the pancreatic acinar cells were observed histologically under light mic roscope and electromicroscope. R esults: The level of MDA increased highly during the course of ANP, and it was p revented obviously when Tiopronin-an exgenous sulfhydryl compound was administr ated prophylactically. The pancreas from rats of group A suffered from acute necroti c pancreatitis (ANP). Morphological changes were profound in the pancreatic tiss ue and the acinar cells, and the damage to the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the mitochondria was most serious. The damage was attenuated to a certain e xtent especially when the RER of acinar cell with Tiopronin was used. Conclusion : A disti nctly antioxidant effect of exgenous sulfhydryl compound is found in the course of ANP, a nd it could protect the acinar cells especially the ultrastructure of the RER.

Key words: cytoprotection sulfhydryl, antioxida nt effect, acinar cell, acute necrotic pancreatitis