BACKGROUND: Development of fibrosis characterizes chronic pancreatitis. As it results from deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as hyaluronan (HA) or laminin, the release of these ECM components into blood or pancreatic secretion may be enhanced during the course of chronic pancreatitis. PATIENTS, MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using immunoassays for HA and laminin, the concentration for these ECM components was measured in pancreatic juice and serum samples from 20 patients with and 20 patients without chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic calculi of varying size and weight obtained from 13 patients with chronic pancreatitis were also examined for the content of ECM components. Tissue samples from normal pancreas and those showing chronic pancreatitis were investigated immunocytochemically with an antibody to HA synthetase (HAS). RESULTS: After stimulation with secretin high levels of ECM components were found in the initial washout period in chronic pancreatitis patients as well as in controls. HA levels, however, were seen seven times higher in patients with chronic pancreatitis (mean +/- SEM; 734 +/- 301 vs. 95 +/- 15 microg/l; p < 0.01). Serum HA levels correlated with the duration of chronic pancreatitis and with the levels of HA in pancreatic juice. HA and laminin were detected in the supernatants of pancreatic calculi (laminin 0.70 +/- 0.30 U/l; HA 275 +/- 85 microg/l). Immunocytochemically, strong staining for HAS was found in the duct epithelium and in centroacinar cells of chronic pancreatitis specimens. CONCLUSION: Demonstration of increased amounts of HA in pancreatic juice of chronic pancreatitis patients stimulated with secretin suggests enhanced production of this ECM component in the chronically inflamed pancreas. The source of HA appears to be the pancreatic ductal epithelium.

Calculi↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Serum levels of extracellular matrix in acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Elevated levels of serum markers of extracellular matrix, i.e., the amino-terminal procollagen-III-peptide, hyaluronic acid and laminin are found in various diseases. The study aims to examine a panel of these parameters in patients with acute pancreatitis and correlate them with the course and severity of the disease. METHODOLOGY: We prospectively examined the time-course of procollagen-III-peptide, hyaluronic acid and laminin in 24 consecutive patients with acute necrotizing (n = 13) or edematous (n = 11) pancreatitis. Patients with chronic pancreatitis with (n = 10) or without (n = 17) acute pain, and 6 patients in complete remission after an episode of acute pancreatitis as well as healthy individuals served as controls. In addition, serum levels of collagen VI and undulin were followed in 10 and 9 patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis, respectively. RESULTS: The serum concentrations of procollagen-III-peptide, hyaluronic acid and laminin were significantly higher at the onset of acute necrotizing pancreatitis compared to edematous pancreatitis and the controls. They returned to almost normal levels during the course of the disease when the patient recovered, but remained elevated in patients with a lethal course. Laminin allowed us to discriminate between patients with necrotizing pancreatitis from all other forms of pancreatitis on admission (specificity 82%, sensitivity 92%, PPV 86%, NPV 90%). Collagen type VI levels were 2-3-fold higher in sera of patients with acute pancreatitis than in healthy controls, whereas the results for undulin were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Since markers of matrix metabolism (especially laminin) are differently elevated in acute necrotizing versus edematous pancreatitis, we suggest that they might be used as parameters for the outcome.

Acute Disease↗