Beer and its Non-Alcoholic Compounds: Role in Pancreatic Exocrine Secretion, Alcoholic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Carcinoma

Abstract

In this article we provide an overview of the newest data concerning the effect of non-alcoholic constituents of alcoholic beverages, especially of beer, on pancreatic secretion, and their possible role in alcoholic pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma. The data indicate that non-alcoholic constituents of beer stimulate pancreatic enzyme secretion in humans and rats, at least in part, by direct action on pancreatic acinar cells. Some non-alcoholic compounds of beer, such as quercetin, resveratrol, ellagic acid or catechins, have been shown to be protective against experimentally induced pancreatitis by inhibiting pancreatic secretion, stellate cell activation or by reducing oxidative stress. Quercetin, ellagic acid and resveratrol also show anti-carcinogenic potential in vitro and in vivo. However, beer contains many more non-alcoholic ingredients. Their relevance in beer-induced functional alterations of pancreatic cells leading to pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in humans needs to be further evaluated.

Ellagic acid inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells

“…It has been shown to reduce the incidence of a variety of carcinogen-induced tumors 20 . The anticarcinogenic effect of EA was shown in several types of cancers [21][22][23][24][25] . In our study we observed, EA at 25-200µM strikingly reduced the cell viability of U251 cells, suggesting the anti-proliferative efficacy.…”

Melatonin, mitochondria, and Ca2+ homeostasis in the exocrine pancreas: an overview

“…Resveratrol, another polyphenol, reversed the abnormal Ca 2+ signal induced by treatment with cerulein, and also reduced the histological damage induced by the agonist, as well as hyperamylasemia and hyperlipidemia (Carrasco et al, 2014). These and other compounds present in beverages, such as quercetin, ellagic acid, or catechins, have been shown to be protective against pancreatitis by controlling pancreatic secretion, by stellate cell activation, or by reducing oxidative stress (Gerloff et al, 2010).…”

Alcohol and the digestive system – should it always be blamed?

“…Nowsze badania wskazują, że jedynym napojem, który ewidentnie stymuluje egzokrynną sekrecję trzustkową, jest piwo [86]. Za ten efekt mają być odpowiedzialne zawarte w nim, jeszcze niezidentyfikowane, składniki niealko-holowe [87][88][89]. Zdaniem badaczy japońskich jednym z takich związków może być N-metylotyramina [90].…”