Metabolic analysis of the effect of rheum on a taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis rat model

Characterization of metabolism associated with outcomes in severe acute pancreatitis: Insights from serum metabolomic analysis

Severe Acute Pancreatitis (SAP) is characterized by an abrupt onset of pancreatic inflammation, which may induce damage to other organs, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the considerable disease burden, specific treatments to stop progression or prevent occurrence are limited. Currently, there is a paucity of comprehensive studies that thoroughly explore metabolic dysregulation in SAP, particularly those that emphasize changes in outcomes. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) based metabolomics coupled with multivariate analysis was applied to serum samples of 20 survivors and 30 non-survivors of SAP to identify metabolic changes linked to different outcomes. The discriminant analysis of serum samples of SAP survivors and non-survivors revealed isoleucine, leucine, valine, arginine, lactate, and 3-hydroxybutyrate as significant metabolites elevated in the non-survivors. These identified metabolites had shown a significant positive correlation with clinical severity scores in the Pearson correlation analysis. Pathway analysis revealed disruptions in amino acid metabolism, driven by protein catabolism to fulfill the patient's energy requirements. This study highlights the importance of metabolomics in unraveling the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying SAP. These findings offer valuable insights for clinicians to develop treatment strategies that target metabolic pathways in SAP, potentially for improving patient outcomes.

Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and its anthraquinone derivatives: Potential candidates for pancreatitis treatment

BACKGROUND

Pancreatitis is a common exocrine inflammatory disease of the pancreas and lacks specific medication currently. Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (RR) and its anthraquinone derivatives (AQs) have been successively reported for their pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms in experimental and clinical pancreatitis. However, an overview of the anti-pancreatitis potential of RR and its AQs is limited.

PURPOSE

To summarize and analyze the pharmacological effects of RR and its AQs on pancreatitis and the underlying mechanisms, and discuss their drug-like properties and future perspectives.

METHODS

The articles related to RR and its AQs were collected from the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang data, PubMed, and the Web of Science using relevant keywords from the study's inception until April first, 2024. Studies involving RR or its AQs in cell or animal pancreatitis models as well as structure-activity relationship, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and clinical trials were included.

RESULTS

Most experimental studies are based on severe acute pancreatitis rat models and a few on chronic pancreatitis. Several bioactive anthraquinone derivatives of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (RRAQs) exert local protective effects on the pancreas by maintaining pancreatic acinar cell homeostasis, inhibiting inflammatory signaling, and anti-fibrosis, and they improve systemic organ function by alleviating intestinal and lung injury. Pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies have revealed the low bioavailability and wide distribution of RRAQs, as well as hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. However, there is insufficient research on the clinical application of RRAQs in pancreatitis. Furthermore, we propose effective strategies for subsequent improvement in terms of balancing effectiveness and safety.

CONCLUSION

RRAQs can be developed as either candidate drugs or novel lead structures for pancreatitis treatment. The comprehensive review of RR and its AQs provides references for optimizing drugs, developing therapies, and conducting future studies on pancreatitis.

Metabolomic-based clinical studies and murine models for acute pancreatitis disease: A review

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common gastroenterological disorders requiring hospitalization and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Metabolomics nowadays not only help us to understand cellular metabolism to a degree that was not previously obtainable, but also to reveal the importance of the metabolites in physiological control, disease onset and development. An in-depth understanding of metabolic phenotyping would be therefore crucial for accurate diagnosis, prognosis and precise treatment of AP. In this review, we summarized and addressed the metabolomics design and workflow in AP studies, as well as the results and analysis of the in-depth of research. Based on the metabolic profiling work in both clinical populations and experimental AP models, we described the metabolites with potential utility as biomarkers and the correlation between the altered metabolites and AP status. Moreover, the disturbed metabolic pathways correlated with biological function were discussed in the end. A practical understanding of current and emerging metabolomic approaches applicable to AP and use of the metabolite information presented will aid in designing robust metabolomics and biological experiments that result in identification of unique biomarkers and mechanisms, and ultimately enhanced clinical decision-making.