Qingyi Decoction amerliorates acute biliary pancreatitis by targeting Gpbar1 NF-kb pathway

Acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) is a potentially life-threatening disease that is induced by the common bile duct (CBD) sludge or stones. This study aimed to investigate protective effects of Qingyi Decoction (QYT) on deoxycholic-acid-sodium salt (DCA) induced ABP in rats. Gpbar1 is a G-protein coupled receptor that can be activated by DCA. Both Gpbar1 overexpression vector and Gpbar1 RNAi were constructed and transfected into ABP cell models. Functional assays reveal that DCA significantly induced AR42J apoptosis and triggered Gpbar1 expression. Gpbar1 significantly activated caspase 8 and caspase 9 as compared to LV5-NC and LV3-NC (p<0.05). Gpbar1 significantly triggered apoptosis associated inflammatory factors as compared to LV5-NC and LV3-NC (p<0.05). Gpbar1 significantly induced calcium flux as compared to LV5-NC and LV3-NC (p<0.05). Gpbar1 up-regulated caspases and inflammatory factors in DCA treated pancreatic acinar cells. QYT reversed DCA induced apoptosis and inflammatory response. QYT significantly reduced Gpbar1 levels compared to no-QTY treated cells (p<0.05). In conclusion, QYT protects against DCA induced pancreatic acinar cell damage in ABP by inhibiting Gpbar1/NF-kB/p-RIP signaling pathway.