Research advances in pathogenesis of lung injury in acute pancreatitis and programmed cell death

Acute pancreatitis is a prevalent acute abdominal condition of the digestive system, which can lead to organ failure and be life-threatening in severe cases. Lung is the earliest and most frequently affected organ in severe acute pancreatitis, with limited treatment currently. While numerous studies have elucidated the pathogenic mechanisms underlying lung injury associated with acute pancreatitis, such as pancreatic enzyme theory, kinin theory, cytokine theory, and microcirculation theory, recent research has further enriched our understanding of the pathogenic mechanism. Programmed cell death actively regulates the stability of the body's internal environment and plays a crucial role in lung injury during acute pancreatitis. Apoptosis has been extensively studied in this context. Additionally, related studies have also identified necroptosis and pyroptosis as significant pathways leading to cell death in extrapancreatic organs during acute pancreatitis. Based on these findings regarding along with apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis, this paper provides an overview of recent research results concerning programmed cell death related to lung injury in acute pancreatitis, aiming at offering theoretical references for future clinical applications.