Simvastatin induces autophagic flux to restore cerulein-impaired phagosome-lysosome fusion in acute pancreatitis

ConclusionOur findings reveal the novel role of simvastatin in enhancing autophagic flux to prevent pancreatic cell injury and pancreatitis.Graphical abstractModel representing the protective effects of simvastatin in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice. Cerulein induced mitophagy, however, the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes is impaired causing accumulation of autophagosomes and mtDNA release in extracellular environment. Simvastatin restored the fusion resulting in formation of functional autolysosomes resulted in cargo clearance including dysfunctional mitochondria (red). Simvastatin-induced mitophagy also created a population of resilient mitochondria (green).
Source: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) Molecular Basis of Disease - Category: Molecular Biology Source Type: research