Fig. 6

TCDCA alleviates pancreatitis via TGR5 and NLRP3 signaling. a-g 3 mM TCDCA was added to the drinking water for 4 weeks before caerulein injection SAP models. Samples were at 12 h post caerulein-induced SAP modeling (n = 6). a Representative western blot showing expression of TGR5 and NLRP3 signaling pathway-related molecules (NLRP3, pro-CASP1 and CASP1 p10) in the pancreas. Densitometric analysis of band intensity was performed using ImageJ software. The grayscale intensity of the bands was normalized and the results are expressed as a fold change relative to the control group. b Pancreatic pathological sections and c pathology scores from different species (WT, TGR5^−/− and NLRP3^−/−). Histopathological changes were scored by HE staining. Blue arrows indicate acinar necrosis, pink arrows indicate inflammatory cell infiltration, and black arrows indicate edema. n = 3 biologically independent samples. d Serum amylase activity and e serum lipase activity of different species mice in SAP model. n = 3 biologically independent samples. f Serum expression (ELISA) of IL-1β (left), IL-6 (mid) and TNF-α (right) in WT, TGR5^−/− and NLRP3^−/− SAP mice. n = 3 biologically independent samples. g Relative mRNA expression of Il1b (left) and Il6 (right) in the pancreas in WT, TGR5^−/− and NLRP3^−/− SAP mice. Fold change is relative to respective mock mice. n = 3 biologically independent samples. Data are presented as mean ± s.d. The two-sided P values were examined using Student’s t-test for comparison of variables between two groups. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple-comparison test was used for comparison of continuous variables among multiple groups. *: P < .05; **: P < .01; ***: P < .001; ****: P < .0001. Representative images of three independent replicates were shown in immunoblotting analysis