Luteolin inhibits pancreatitis-induced acinar-ductal metaplasia, proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of acinar cells

Luteolin, a flavone, has been demonstrated to have anti‑cancer properties. In the current study, the effects of luteolin on certain carcinogenesis‑associated changes induced by pancreatitis, which are significant risk factors for pancreatic cancer, were investigated. Male six‑week‑old C57BL6 mice used in the current study were divided into three groups; the control group, acute pancreatitis group and luteolin group. Intra‑peritoneal injection of cearulein was performed in the acute pancreatitis group and luteolin group to induce acute pancreatitis whereas the luteolin group received intra‑peritoneal injection of luteolin. The control group received intra‑peritoneal injection of normal saline. Then, the expression of SOX9, phosphorylated (p‑) STAT3, p‑EGFR, cytokeratin‑19, Ki67 and N‑cadherin were determined by immunohistochemistry. Morphological changes of acinar cells were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The mRNA expression of the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition markers CDH1, CDH2, Slug, Zeb1, EpCAM, ZO1, Vimentin, Snail and Twist was determined by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. It was identified that luteolin inhibits the formation of tubular complexes and ectopic expression of cytokeratin‑19 and luteolin also decreased proteins of SOX9, p‑STAT3 and p‑EGFR. In addition, luteolin inhibits proliferation and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition of acinar cells induced by acute pancreatitis. As tubular complex formation and ectopic expression of cytokeratin‑19 were two prominent characters of acinar‑ductal metaplasia, it was concluded that luteolin inhibits acinar‑ductal metaplasia induced by pancreatitis and also inhibits pancreatitis‑induced proliferation and epithelial‑mesenchymal transition of acinar cells. Acinar‑ductal metaplasia and proliferation have close associations with pancreatic carcinogenesis. It is suggested that luteolin has potential anti‑pancreatic carcinogenesis effects and merits further investigation.