Dissecting the Stress Activating Signaling Pathways in Acute Pancreatitis

Background/Aims: Acute pancreatitis is a severe and frequently a life-threatening disease which can lead to pancreatic necrosis, acute lung injury, SIRS and MODS. The pathophysiologic pattern of acute pancreatitis is being investigated, when guidelines for treatment are being modified often and novel therapeutic strategies have failed to show real benefit in clinical practice. Methodology: The present paper reviews the role of nuclear factors NF-kappa B and AP-1, TNF alpha, and TLR-4 in acute pancreatitis. Conclusion: Understanding the inflammatory mediators expression, regulation of apoptosis and dissecting the stress activating signaling pathways in acute pancreatitis, is of paramount importance in order to achieve in the near future adequate therapeutic interventions.