BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a disease characterized by inflammation. Nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, Smad proteins, and the steroid hormone family peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are involved in regulation of gene transcription during the disease process. Peptide YY (PYY), a gastrointestinal hormone, inhibits NF-kappaB translocation to acinar nuclei in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-induced AP. We investigated TNF-alpha induction of Smad proteins, PPARalpha/gamma, and NF-kappaB by TNF-alpha, and hypothesized that PYY would attenuate this effect. METHODS Rat acinar cells were treated with recombinant TNF-alpha (200 ng/mL). PYY (3 to 36) was added at 500 pM at 30 minutes after TNF-alpha treatment until cell harvest at 2 hours. Western blot analysis and intracellular staining of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB were performed. NF-kappaB, Smad3/4, and PPARalpha/gamma binding activities were determined by protein/DNA array analysis and verified by electrophoretic-mobility shift assay and densitometry. RESULTS Cellular localization of NF-kappaB p65 showed nuclear staining within 2 hours, with controls stained in the cytoplasm. With PYY, p65 stained in the cytoplasm. Nuclear p65 was increased significantly (p < 0.05) by TNF-alpha at 2 hours and PYY reduced it. Array analysis revealed upregulation of NF-kappaB, PPARalpha/gamma, and Smad3/4 with TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha stimulated NF-kappaB activation sevenfold, and binding was enhanced (p < 0.05). PYY reduced NF-kappaB binding to control levels. PPAR binding increased 51% after TNF-alpha treatment and was reduced to 33% with PYY. Smad3/4 binding was increased (p < 0.05) above controls with TNF-alpha and PYY reduced it by 40%. CONCLUSIONS TNF-alpha increases early nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB in acinar cells. Exposure to TNF-alpha activates transcription factors NF-kappaB, Smad3/4, and PPARalpha/gamma. PYY reduces this activation. Treatment with PYY may have therapeutic potential in improving AP.