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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 14, 2006; 12(46): 7421-7427
Published online Dec 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i46.7421
Published online Dec 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i46.7421
Pathophysiology of alcoholic pancreatitis: An overview
Parimal Chowdhury, Priya Gupta, Department of Physiology and Biophysics University of Arkansas for Medical sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Parimal Chowdhury, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, 4301 W Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, United States. pchowdhury@uams.edu
Telephone: +1-501-6865443 Fax: +1-501-6868167
Received: July 29, 2006
Revised: August 16, 2006
Accepted: August 22, 2006
Published online: December 14, 2006
Revised: August 16, 2006
Accepted: August 22, 2006
Published online: December 14, 2006
Abstract
Use of alcohol is a worldwide habit regardless of socio-economic background. Heavy alcohol consumption is a potential risk factor for induction of pancreatitis. The current review cites the updated literature on the alcohol metabolism, its effects on gastrointestinal and pancreatic function and in causing pancreatic injury, genetic predisposition of alcohol induced pancreatitis. Reports describing prospective mechanisms of action of alcohol activating the signal transduction pathways, induction of oxidative stress parameters through the development of animal models are being presented.
Keywords: Alcohol; Metabolism; Pancreatic function; Pancreatitis; Mechanism of action