Study could contribute to new treatment targets pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is often fatal, a condition in which the pancreas is digested and surrounding tissue. Scientists have found that alcohol can cause the condition through a combination of fatty acids in the pancreas, thus leading to an excessive release of calcium ions recorded. If calcium ions in the fluid cells in the pancreas of active digestive enzymes and damages the cells.

The team, in cooperation with the RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan, found in the chains of stores, the calcium for the liquid within the cells of the pancreas. They also found that calcium and toxic emissions can be reduced significantly if the gene for the production of these channels is "erased" (or Knocked-out).

Professor Ole Petersen, the University's School of Biomedical Sciences, explains: "The release of pancreatic enzymes in the intestine, where they are activated and digest our food. If these digestive enzymes are activated within the cells, but to digest the pancreas itself, causing severe damage and often death. Alcohol is widely recognized as one of the triggers of this process, but the reasons for being unclear.

"We now know that alcohol in combination with fatty acids, may be substances in an increase in calcium ions in cells of the pancreas, water. We found that this construction is excessive movement of ions Special calcium stores water calcium in the cell, the activation of digestive enzymes in the cell. New research shows the channels, the movement of calcium occurs, and in particular genes, making these channels.

"This work shows the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, the higher the level of alcohol in the blood, the risk of pancreatitis. Now that we have the genes of the condition, we should be able to more for the successful treatment of the disease. "

The research in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).