Astaxanthin Inhibits Interleukin-6 Expression in Cerulein/Resistin-Stimulated Pancreatic Acinar Cells

Figure 8

The proposed mechanism by which astaxanthin (ASX) inhibits interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression in cerulein/resistin-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells. Binding of cerulein to cholecystokinin receptor (CCKR) increases intracellular Ca²⁺ level while binding of resistin to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) initiates Ca²⁺ overload. High level of Ca²⁺ activates NADPH oxidase to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS induce NF-κB activation and the expression of IL-6 in pancreatic acinar AR42J cells. ASX reduces Ca²⁺ overload and inhibits NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS production, NF-κB activation, and IL-6 expression. The calcium chelator BAPTA-AM, an antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and ML171, a specific NADPH oxidase 1 inhibitor, suppress cerulein/resistin-induced ROS production, NF-κB activation, and IL-6 expression in AR42J cells.