Introduction: Survivin is one of the inhibitors of the apoptosis family and has dual effects: antiapoptotic effect and regulation of the cell cycle.
Aim: To show involvement of survivin in acute pancreatitis.
Methodology: Acute necrohemorrhagic pancreatitis was induced in male Wistar rats by intraductal infusion of 4% sodium taurocholate.
Results: By northern blotting, the survivin mRNA level was significantly increased at 36 hours and peaked at 48 hours after induction of acute pancreatitis. Survivin protein was found in cytoplasm of ductal cells by immunohistochemical analysis at 48-72 hours. It was also observed in nuclei of both acinar and ductal cells as well as infiltrating cells. Apoptotic cells were observed in pancreatic acinar cells. Survivin protein partially colocalized with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine in some nuclei of ductal cells.
Conclusions: We showed involvement of survivin in acute pancreatitis in rats. Survivin may have some roles in the regulation of pancreatic regeneration and proliferation as well as an antiapoptotic effect after acute pancreatitis.