STATs Signaling Pathways in Acute Pancreatitis: Mechanisms and Regulation

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a potentially life-threatening inflammatory disorder of the pancreas that can progress from local injury to systemic inflammatory response and multi-organ dysfunction. Despite improvements in supportive treatment, there is still no effective drug therapy for AP. This highlights the necessity of clarifying its molecular mechanisms and exploring novel therapeutic strategies. Among the diverse signaling pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of AP, the significance of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family has become increasingly evident. Building on the increasing recognition of the STATs family in AP, this review provides a systematic synthesis in three domains. The first addresses mechanistic studies of STATs-related signaling, the second focuses on pharmacological regulation with an emphasis on natural products and chemical drugs, and the third explores clinical evidence connecting STATs activity to severity and outcomes of AP. By synthesizing mechanistic, pharmacological, and clinical evidence, this review highlights the central role of STATs family members in AP. It underscores the therapeutic potential of natural medicines in targeting STATs pathways and suggests directions for future translational studies to develop effective interventions for AP.