Figure 1.

Effect of melatonin on plasma levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α) in the rats with acute pancreatitis (AP). Melatonin or its precursor, L-tryptophan, was given to the rats 30 min prior the induction of acute pancreatitis produced by caerulein overstimulation (5 μg/kg-h × 5 h). Control-intact rats. Means ± SEM from the separate experiments, each performed on 8–10 rats. Asterisk indicates significant increase above the value detected in AP rats alone. Cross indicates significant decreases below the value detected in AP rats alone.