Research status of the mechanism and treatment for acute pancreatitis complicated with hepatic injury

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by its sudden onset and rapid progression and is often complicated by liver injury. AP-induced liver injury may develop into hepatic failure and even result in death. Thus, it is of importance to protect liver function and block injury-related pathways. In the pathogenesis of liver injury in AP, inflammatory cytokines, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and oxygen free radicals play important roles. The complexity of the mechanism underlying the development of liver injury exerts, to some extent, a contribution to the difficulties in the treatment of this disease. Currently, the drugs used to treat the disease include L-arginine (L-Arg), calcium ion antagonists, somatostatin and a variety of inflammatory mediator inhibitors. Additionally, some traditional Chinese medicines such as tripterygium, wilfordii, rhubarb and salvia miltiorrhizae may also have some effects. In this article, the pathogenesis of liver injury in AP and its therapy are reviewed.