OBJECTIVE To observe the antioxidative effect of sulfydryl compound(tiopronin) on pancreatic and myocardial tissue in acute necrotic pancreatitis(ANP).METHODS Rats were randomized into three groups.Group A was ANP treated with normal saline,Group B was ANP treated with Tiopronin,Group C was the control.The rats were sacrificed at 4,6 and 12 h,respectively,and the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and the level of malondialdehyde(MDA) in pancreatic tissue and myocardial tissue were measured.RESULTS The pancreatic SOD level in group A and B was lower than that of group C,while the group B level was significantly higher than that of group A.The MDA level in group A and B was higher than that in group C,while the group B level was significantly lower than that of group A.The myocardial SOD level in group A and B was lower than that of group C,while the group B level was significantly higher than that of group A.The MDA level in group A and B were higher than that of group C,while the group B level was significantly lower than that of group A.CONCLUSION Tiopronin can increase SOD and decrease MDA level of pancreatic and myocardial tissue in rats with ANP,which suggest that Tiopronin may have a protective effect in experimental ANP.