Parameters of connective tissue metabolism as markers in acute and chronic pancreatitis. A retrospective study with a cohort of normal subjects
Löhr, M.; Spies, B.; Heptner, G.; Domschke, S.; Hahn, E.G.
Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie 29(5): 231-236
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-2771 PMID: 1950031 Document Number: 381475
It is suggested that during active phases of acute and chronic pancreatitis (aP and cP) a major breakdown of extracellular matrix occurs. Since our group previously established that serum levels of the precollagen-III-peptide (P-III-P) are good markers for changes in the extracellular matrix in liver disease (e.g. fibrosis and cirrhosis), we investigated whether this would also serve as a possible marker for pancreatitis. A total of 52 patients with pancreatitis were studied (aP = 17; cP = 35) and compared to 194 controls. Diagnosis of pancreatitis was done on the basis of established classifications. Concomitant diseases, e.g. of the liver, were excluded. Serum levels of P-III-P (three assays with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and Fab-Fragments), hyaluronic acid (HA) and laminin (LAM) were measured by RIA or IRMA. Patients with pancreatitis displayed elevated levels in all groups, when compared with the controls. Since the P-III-P-Fab RIA measures the Col1-fragment by 50%, which is considered to be a degradation product of P-III-P, this could mean that neogenesis of collagen is paralleled by degradation during the initial course of an acute episode of pancreatitis. The ratio (quotient) of P-III-P-Fab and P-III-PMoAb (nl = 127.3 +/- 27) is changed in patients with pancreatitis towards P-III-P-Fab (aP: 115.4 +/- 84.7*, cP: 94.9 +/- 21.8*, cP-I: 89.3 +/- 9.2*; * = p = 0.0001).