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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
07:10
Establishment of a Mouse Severe Acute Pancreatitis Model using Retrograde Injection of Sodium Taurocholate into the Biliopancreatic Duct
Published on: April 1, 2022
Elevated circulating bile acids alleviate acute pancreatitis by restoring mitochondrial function via acinar cell
Haiyan Chen1,2, Yudan Fan1, Na Huang1
1National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biodiagnostics and Biotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
|June 15, 2026
Summary
Elevated bile acids (BAs) may protect against acute pancreatitis (AP). In a rat model, increased BAs reduced pancreatic damage and cell death, challenging prior toxicity assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Acute pancreatitis (AP) is often associated with bile acid (BA) dyshomeostasis.
- The precise role of elevated circulating BAs and their uptake by pancreatic acinar cells in AP remains debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal role of elevated circulating BAs in AP progression.
- To determine the functional significance of BA uptake by pancreatic acinar cells in AP.
Main Methods:
- Established a cerulein (CER)-induced rat model of AP with elevated circulating BAs (sodium taurocholate, Na-TC).
- Utilized targeted metabolomics, in vitro acinar cell assays, confocal microscopy, RNA-sequencing, and biochemical assays to assess BA effects on pancreatic damage, cell survival, and mitochondrial function.
Main Results:
- Systemic Na-TC administration attenuated CER-induced pancreatic histopathological damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
- In vitro, Na-TC protected acinar cells from apoptosis/necrosis, an effect dependent on BA transporter activity.
- BA uptake enhanced mitochondrial function, including electron transport chain activity, oxidative phosphorylation, membrane potential, and ATP production.
Conclusions:
- Elevated circulating bile acids, at levels seen in biliary pancreatitis, can be protective against acute pancreatitis.
- Uptake of BAs by pancreatic acinar cells is beneficial, improving mitochondrial function and cell survival, contrary to traditional toxicity views.
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