Biopolym. Cell. 2026; 42(Special Issue):60.
Biomarkers and molecular diagnostics
Combined S-adenosylmethionine and glutathione treatment attenuates pancreatic steatosis in a dietand stress-induced rat model of metabolic dysfunction
- SI “Institute Gastroenterology of the National Academy
of Medical Sciences of Ukraine�
96, Slobozhanskyi Ave., Dnipro, Ukraine, 49074
Abstract
Background. Pancreatic steatosis reflects metabolic dysfunction associated with insulin resistance, inflammation and remodeling. Aim. The aim was to determine whether S-adenosylmethionine/glutathione corrects pancreatic morphology and metabolic disturbances following experimental steatosis. Methods. Male white rats were allocated into three groups of 8 animals each: control, 60-day model and correction groups. The model combined a high-fat diet, 10% fructose solution and chronic spatial restriction. After modeling, the correction group received S-adenosylmethionine plus glutathione at 0.2 g/kg/day for 30 days. The pancreatic morphology, carbohydrate/lipid metabolism, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were assessed. The data are presented as mean ± SEM. Results. In the model, pancreatic steatosis was verified in 8/8 rats (100%) and graded qualitatively as mild/ moderate by interlobular and intralobular adipocyte accumulation, acinar vacuolization, inflammation and early fibrosis. Initial acinar atrophy and fibrosis were found in 3/8 animals (37.5%). After correction, minimal steatosis persisted in 7/8 animals (87.5%) and was absent in 1/8 animal (12.5%); fibrosis and inflammatory infiltration were not detected, and acinar-islet architecture was preserved. Glucose decreased from 9.4 ± 0.83 to 6.8±0.52 mmol/L (p < 0.05), insulin from 42.8 ± 10.4 to 16.7 ± 1.6 μU/mL, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) from 18.9±4.9 to 4.95 ± 1.21 (p < 0.05 vs model), but remained above control (1.8 ± 0.66; p<0.05). TGF-β1 decreased from 2591.8±136.6 to 2302.8 ± 152.1 pg/mL, but exceeded control (1176.2 ± 257.3 pg/mL; p < 0.05). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the atherogenic coefficient remained increased versus control (p < 0.05). Among SCFAs, only butyric acid significantly decreased in the model versus control, (p < 0.05). Conclusions. S-adenosylmethionine/ glutathione promoted morphological regression of pancreatic steatosis, reduced fat infiltration, eliminated histological fibrosis and inflammation, and preserved acinar-islet architecture. Normalization was partial, as residual HOMA-IR and TGF-β1 elevation indicated persistent metabolic and profibrotic activation. Funding. “To study the clinical, biochemical, and structural features of pancreatic steatosis in servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and to improve its treatment� (No. 0125U000190).
Keywords: pancreatic, steatosis, S-adenosylmethionine, glutathione, HOMA-IR, TGF-β1, SCFAs
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