We have revised the literature data on the various substances having antioxidant properties used to cure acute pancreatitis. We have also evaluated the data according to two main topics: the effects of antioxidant substances in experimental studies and the effects of antioxidant substances in human acute pancreatitis. At present, the only convincing data on the benefits of antioxidant treatment in acute pancreatitis comes from the studies on animals in whom the experimental variables are well defined and do not change overtime. In human studies, the benefits of antioxidants are still not convincing due to limited number of the patients studied. Finally, we need to know which antioxidant substances should be used and their optimal dosage. Further clinical randomized controlled trials need to be carried out before the use of antioxidants can be recommended for human acute pancreatitis. Some patents relevant to treatment of acute pancreatitis have also been reviewed in this article.

Acute inflammation, acute pancreatitis, animal studies, antioxidants, human studies, pancreatic enzymes.

Pancreas Unit, Department of Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.