Pancreatic Stellate Cell Activation by Ethanol and Acetaldehyde: Is it Mediated by the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway?

Abstract

(1) The MAP kinase pathway is induced in PSCs after exposure to ethanol or acetaldehyde and this induction is sustained for at least 24h. (2) The p38 MAPK pathway mediates the activation (as indicated by increased alpha-SMA expression) of PSCs by ethanol or acetaldehyde.