Phytochemicals and Metabolism in Pancreatic Diseases
Principle Investigator: Stephen J. Pandol, MD
Co-Principle Investigator: Anna S. Gukovskaya, PhD
Co-Investigator: Ilya Gukovsky, PhD
Co-Investigator: Aurelia Lugea, PhD
Co-Investigator: HongXiang Hui, MD PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow: Mouad Edderkaoui, PhD
Hypothesis: We propose that certain phytochemical decrease proliferation of stellate cells and cancer cells at least in part by inhibiting ROS-regulated pentose cycle pathways, resulting in decreased nucleic acid synthesis, decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis.
The Exocrine Pancreas and the Stellate Cell
Stellate Cells Mediate Ethanol-Induced Pancreatic and Liver Disease
Roles of Pancreatic Stellate Cells in Carcinogenesis
Specific Aims for Stellate and Cancer Cells in Vitro
- Determine the effects of selected phytochemicals on ROS production, glucose metabolism, DNA synthesis, proliferation and apoptosis.
- Determine the effects of pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of ROS production on glucose metabolism, DNA synthesis, proliferation and apoptosis.
Specific Aims for Experimental Animal Models
- Determine the effects of selected phytochemicals on progression of the pathologic processes in chronic pancreatitis.
- Determine the ability of selected phytochemicals to prevent the initiation and/or progression of pancreatic cancer.
