DEFB1 and acute pancreatitis: Furthermore, in a mice model of acute pancreatitis, low-methoxyl pectin was found to upregulate occludin, TJP1, and defensin beta 1 as well as downregulate tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-β, and IL-6 relative mRNA levels in ileal and colonic tissue, pointing towards restoration of acute pancreatitis-associated disruption of the intestinal barrier [34].