Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Establishment of a Mouse Severe Acute Pancreatitis Model using Retrograde Injection of Sodium Taurocholate into the Biliopancreatic Duct
Published on: April 1, 2022
Ethanol induces secretion of oxidized proteins by pancreatic acinar cells
V O Palmieri1, I Grattagliano, G Palasciano
1Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal and Public Medicine (DIMIMP), University Medical School of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Abstract:
The pancreas is vulnerable to ethanol toxicity, but the pathogenesis of alcoholic pancreatitis is not fully defined. The intracellular oxidative balance and the characteristics of the secretion of isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells stimulated with the cholecystokinin analogue cerulein were assayed after acute oral ethanol (4 g/kg) load. Pancreatic acinar cells from ethanol-treated rats showed a significant (p < 0.02) lower content of total glutathione and protein sulfhydryls, and higher levels of oxidized glutathione (p < 0.03), malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyls (p < 0.05). Ethanol-intoxicated acinar cells showed a lower baseline amylase output compared to controls, with the difference being significantly exacerbated by cerulein stimulation. After cerulein, the release of protein carbonyls by ethanol-treated cells was significantly increased, whereas that of protein sulfhydryls was significantly decreased. In conclusion, ethanol oxidatively damages pancreatic acinar cells; cerulein stimulation is followed by a lower output of amylase and by a higher release of oxidized proteins by pancreatic acinar cells from ethanol-treated rats. These findings may account for the decreased exocrine function, intraductular plug formation, and protein precipitation in alcoholic pancreatitis.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Insulin Secretory Vesicles

