Emodin alleviates intestinal mucosal injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis via the caspase-1 inhibition

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a potentially lethal disease characterized by sudden onset, rapid progression,multiple organ failure and high mortality rate.[1-3] The underlying pathogenesis remains incompletely elucidated. As main anatomic and functional barrier, gut mucosa impairment is considered one of the major pathologies in SAP,[4, 5] which will increase intestinal permeability, bacteria translocation as well as release of endotoxin, inflammatory mediators and cytokines(IL-1β, IL-18).[6]Caspase-1 (IL-1β-converting enzyme/ICE) is a common intracellular cysteine protease that converts the precursors of IL-1β and IL-18 into active cytokines.[7, 8]Blockade of caspase-1 suppresses inflammatory mediator expressions, such as IL-1β and IL-18, which will alleviate inflammation cascade reaction and ameliorate the overall severity and mortality of patients with SAP.[9, 10]