Ion channel dysfunction in acute pancreatitis: mechanisms, heterogeneity, and therapeutic prospects

Renhe Feng1, Ji Bei1, Zhiyuan Ma1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, 563003, China.

Insights

Ion channel dysfunction contributes to acute pancreatitis (AP), a severe gastrointestinal disease. Targeting these ion channels offers potential for new AP treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology and Physiology
  • Molecular Biology and Pharmacology

Background:

  • Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a critical gastrointestinal condition with increasing incidence and high mortality.
  • Current treatments for AP lack disease-modifying capabilities, highlighting significant unmet clinical needs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and integrate evidence on ion channel and transporter roles in AP pathogenesis.
  • To explore the potential of ion-modulating therapies for AP prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review focusing on ion channel and transporter dysfunction in AP.
  • Network-centric analysis of conserved pathological cascades driven by ionic dysregulation.

Main Results:

  • Ion channel and transporter dysfunction is a convergent mechanism in various AP etiologies.
  • Ionic dysregulation drives key pathological processes including calcium overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • Ionic dysregulation plays a critical, conserved role in AP pathogenesis across different causes.
  • Precision-targeted ion-modulating therapies represent a promising avenue for managing AP.

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