Genistein protects against acute pancreatitis via activation of an apoptotic pathway mediated through endoplasmic reticulum stress in rats

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe and frequently lethal disorder, but the precise mechanisms are not well understood and there is lack of effective drugs. Therefore, our study examined the in vivo intervention effects of genistein and elucidated its mechanism in acute experimental pancreatitis models. We used cerulein or taurocholate to induce acute pancreatitis (AP) in Sprague-Dawley rats with prior genistein treatment. Histological examination of the pancreas was performed and the expression of unfolded protein response (UPR) components and apoptotic mediators like caspase 12 and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) were measured. The amount of apoptosis in pancreatic acinar cells was a..