Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0493-5 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Poly(ADP -ribose) polymerase inhibition suppresses inflammation and promotes recovery  
from adrenal injury in a rat model of acute nec rotizing pancreatitis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 28 Mar 2016  
 
Reviewer: Nicholas J. Zyromski  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The authors present an extension of their previous work evaluating adrenal function in the setting 
of acute pancreatitis.  They sought t o evaluate adrenal function and effect of PARP inhibition in 
severe acute pancreatitis.  The statistical analysis appears appropriate.  
The manuscript would be improved by focusing the hypothesis - i.e. based on prior work, what 
did you expect to find with  PARP inhibition?  In addition, I am missing a big link between 
severe acute pancreatitis and adrenal injury - the authors look primarily at adrenal metrics (ie. 
PARP inhibition decreased adrenal inflammation and apoptosis and prolonged elevation of 
circul ating corticosterone) but also apparently decreased pancreatitis severity and improved 
survival - what is the connection?  i doubt it is simply increased circulating corticosterone.  what 
about PARP effect on pancreatic inflammation?  I think the data are solid, but the story is not 
entirely clear as of yet.  The conclusions over -reach the data presented.  
 
 
 
Minor comments:  
 
1. the manuscript would benefit from editing for English grammar and usage  
 
 
2. define "3 -AB" more clearly early in methods - took a while  to determine that this was the 
PARP inhibitor  
 
 
3. document institutional IRB approval  
 
 
4. describe or reference serum assays (amylase, lipase)  
 
 
5. figure 2 what does image G represent?  
 
 
 
I feel strongly that the scientific review process should be transparent  and have therefore 
requested the editors' permission to sign my name  
Nicholas J. Zyromski, MD  
Indiana University School of Medicine  
 
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, conside ring the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
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2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  
If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
i declare that i have no competing interests  
 
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