Abstract
Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), a widespread inflammatory condition impacting the abdomen with a high mortality rate, poses challenges due to its unclear pathogenesis and the absence of effective treatment options. Isorhamnetin (ISO), a naturally occurring flavonoid, demonstrates robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties intricately linked to the modulation of mitochondrial function. However, the specific protective impact of ISO on SAP remains to be fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that ISO treatment significantly alleviated pancreatic damage and reduced serum lipase and amylase levels in the mouse model of SAP induced by sodium taurocholate (STC) or L-arginine. Utilizing an in vitro SAP cell model, we found that ISO co-administration markedly prevented STC-induced pancreatic acinar cell necrosis, primarily by inhibiting mitochondrial ROS generation, preserving ATP production, maintaining mitochondrial membrane potential, and preventing the oxidative damage and release of mitochondrial DNA. Mechanistically, our investigation identified that high-temperature requirement A2 (HtrA2) may play a central regulatory role in mediating the protective effect of ISO on mitochondrial dysfunction in STC-injured acinar cells. Furthermore, through an integrated approach involving bioinformatics analysis, molecular docking analysis, and experimental validation, we uncovered that ISO may directly impede the histone demethylation activity of KDM5B, leading to the restoration of pancreatic HtrA2 expression and thereby preserving mitochondrial function in pancreatic acinar cells following STC treatment. In conclusion, this study not only sheds new light on the intricate molecular complexities associated with mitochondrial dysfunction during the progression of SAP but also underscores the promising value of ISO as a natural therapeutic option for SAP.
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