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
1Klenina I. A., 1Didenko V. I., 1Tatarchuk O. M., 1Halinskyi O. O., 1Halinska A. M.
  1. 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