IL-6 and CRP are superior in early differentiation between mild and non-mild acute pancreatitis

Application of electrogastrogram in assessment of gastric motility in acute pancreatitis

Background: Electrogastrogram (EGG) can reflect gastric motility disorders in many diseases, but its application in acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been studied. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the value of EGG in assessing the existence of gastric motility disorder in patients with AP and in predicting the severity of AP. Methods: Patients with AP admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from June 2020 to December 2020 were enrolled. Five EGG parameters (Percentage of normal gastric slow wave (PNGSW), main frequency, average frequency, percentage of gastric tachycardia (PGT), percentage of gastric bradycardia (PGB)) were collected. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to judge the predictive value of EGG parameters to AP severity. Results: The PNGSW in AP patients was significantly lower than that of the control group (p < 0.05), and the PGB was higher in AP patients than that of the control group (p < 0.05). The area under curve (AUC) of the PNGSW and the PGB in diagnosing non-mild acute pancreatitis (N-MAP) were 0.777 (95% CI: 0.676-0.877, p < 0.001) and 0.775 (95% CI: 0.670-0.879, p < 0.001) respectively. After combining with C-reactive protein, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of predicting N-MAP were improved. Conclusion: EGG parameters can well reflect the gastric motility disorder of AP patients. The PNGSW and the PGB can be used to predict the occurrence of N-MAP.

Development of a predictive nomogram for acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with acute pancreatitis complicated with acute kidney injury

BACKGROUND

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common complication in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP), especially when patients complicated with acute kidney injury (AKI), resulting in increased duration of hospitalization and mortality. It is of potential clinical significance to develop a predictive model to identify the the high-risk patients.

METHOD

AP patients complicated with AKI from January 2019 to March 2022 were enrolled in this study and randomly divided into training cohort and validation cohort at a ratio of 2:1. The Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO) regression and machine learning algorithms were applied to select features. A nomogram was developed based on the multivariate logistic regression. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by AUC, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 292 patients were enrolled in the study, with 206 in the training cohort and 86 in the validation cohort. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that IAP (Odds Ratio (OR)=4.60, 95%CI:1.23-18.24, p = 0.02), shock (OR = 12.99, 95%CI:3.47-64.04, p < 0.001), CRP(OR= 26.19, 95%CI:9.37-85.57, p < 0.001), LDH (OR = 13.13, 95%CI:4.76-40.42, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of ARDS. The nomogram was developed based on IAP, shock, CRP and LDH. The nomogram showed good discriminative ability with an AUC value of 0.954 and 0.995 in the training and validation cohort, respectively. The calibration curve indicating good concordance between the predicted and observed values. The DCA showed favorable net clinical benefit.

CONCLUSION

This study developed a simple model for predicting ARDS in AP patients complicated with AKI. The nomogram can help clinicians identify high-risk patients and optimize therapeutic strategies.

Management of Intra-Abdominal Infections: The Role of Procalcitonin

Patients with intra-abdominal sepsis suffer from significant mortality and morbidity. The main pillars of treatment for intra-abdominal infections are (1) source control and (2) early delivery of antibiotics. Antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as possible. However, the duration of antibiotics remains a matter of debate. Prolonged antibiotic delivery can lead to increased microbial resistance and the development of nosocomial infections. There has been much research on biomarkers and their ability to aid the decision on when to stop antibiotics. Some of these biomarkers include interleukins, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). PCT's value as a biomarker has been a focus area of research in recent years. Most studies use either a cut-off value of 0.50 ng/mL or an >80% reduction in PCT levels to determine when to stop antibiotics. This paper performs a literature review and provides a synthesized up-to-date global overview on the value of PCT in managing intra-abdominal infections.

Interleukin-6 is better than C-reactive protein for the prediction of infected pancreatic necrosis and mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to identify whether interleukin-6 (IL-6) is better than C-reactive protein (CRP) for the prediction of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN), and mortality.

METHODS

Sixty-seven patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) who were hospitalized within 48 h of onset and received serum CRP and IL-6 tests from September 2018 to September 2019 were included. Spearman's correlation was performed to assess their associations with severity. The areas under the curve (AUCs) for the prediction of SAP, organ failure, pancreatic necrosis, IPN, and mortality were estimated using receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULT

Serum CRP and IL-6 levels were significantly positively correlated with the severity of AP (p < 0.05). The AUC for the prediction of SAP based on the CRP level was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.66-0.89) and that based on the IL-6 level was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.56-0.82). For the prediction of organ failure and pancreatic necrosis, CRP was more accurate than IL-6 (AUC 0.80 vs. 0.72 and 0.75 vs. 0.68, respectively). However, CRP was less accurate than IL-6 for predicting mortality and IPN (AUC 0.70 vs. 0.75 and 0.65 vs. 0.81, respectively). Systemic inflammatory response syndrome plus CRP was more accurate than systemic inflammatory response syndrome plus IL-6 (AUC 0.79 vs. 0.72) for the prediction of SAP.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-6 was more accurate than CRP for predicting mortality and IPN in patients with AP.

Elevated serum ferritin levels are associated with severity and prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis: a preliminary cohort study

Background

Serum ferritin (SF), as an acute-phase response protein, is used to reflect the degree of oxidative stress and systemic inflammatory responses. This study was designed to assess the effect of elevated SF levels on the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods

From January 2013 to December 2020, 200 consecutive patients with AP were retrospectively reviewed to analyze the relationships among the etiologies of pancreatitis, the severity of the disease and SF levels. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression analysis were used to assess whether elevated SF levels could predict the onset of organ failure in AP.

Results

92 (46%) had high SF levels (> 275 ng/ml). SF levels were not associated with the etiology of AP disease. Among patients with high SF levels, there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients with severe AP (23.1% vs. 76.9%) and a higher proportion of systemic inflammatory response scores (25.9% vs. 44.6%) in comparison to patients with normal SF levels. The area under the ROC curve for SF in predicting persistent organ failure was 0.812 [95% confidence interval 0.721–0.904].

Conclusions

F concentrations were positively correlated with the severity of AP, and quantitative assessment of SF can predict disease severity and organ failure in patients with AP.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-022-02446-z.

The predictive value of procalcitonin combined with C-reactive protein and D dimer in moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to investigate the predictive value of a parametric model constructed by using procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and D dimer within 48 h after admission in moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

A total of 238 patients were enrolled, of which 170 patients were moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP+SAP). The concentrations of procalcitonin, CRP and D dimer within 48 h after admission were obtained. The predictive value of the parametric model, modified computed tomography severity index (MCTSI), bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP), Ranson score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, modified Marshall score and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score of all patients was calculated and compared.

RESULTS

The area under receiver operator characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, Youden index and critical value of the parametric model for predicting MSAP+SAP were 0.853 (95% CI, 0.804-0.903), 84.71%, 70.59%, 55.30% and 0.2833, respectively. The sensitivity of the parametric model was higher than that of MCTSI (84.00%), Ranson score (73.53%), BISAP (56.47%), APACHE II score (27.65%), modified Marshall score (17.06%) and SIRS score (78.24%); the specificity of it were higher than that of MCTSI (52.94%) and Ranson score (67.65%), but lower than BISAP (73.53%), APACHE II score (76.47%), modified Marshall score (100%)and SIRS score (100.00%).

CONCLUSION

The parametric model constructed by using procalcitonin 48 h, CRP 48 h and D dimer 48 h can be regarded as an evaluation model for predicting moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis.

Guidelines for the management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis, 2021

OBJECTIVE

To provide guidelines for the management of the intensive care patient with severe acute pancreatitis.

DESIGN

A consensus committee of 22 experts was convened. A formal conflict-of-interest (COI) policy was developed at the beginning of the process and enforced throughout. The entire guideline construction process was conducted independently of any industrial funding (i.e. pharmaceutical, medical devices). The authors were required to follow the rules of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE®) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence. The potential drawbacks of making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence were emphasised.

METHODS

The most recent SFAR and SNFGE guidelines on the management of the patient with severe pancreatitis were published in 2001. The literature now is sufficient for an update. The committee studied 14 questions within 3 fields. Each question was formulated in a PICO (Patients Intervention Comparison Outcome) format and the relevant evidence profiles were produced. The literature review and recommendations were made according to the GRADE® methodology.

RESULTS

The experts' synthesis work and their application of the GRADE® method resulted in 24 recommendations. Among the formalised recommendations, 8 have high levels of evidence (GRADE 1+/-) and 12 have moderate levels of evidence (GRADE 2+/-). For 4 recommendations, the GRADE method could not be applied, resulting in expert opinions. Four questions did not find any response in the literature. After one round of scoring, strong agreement was reached for all the recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

There was strong agreement among experts for 24 recommendations to improve practices for the management of intensive care patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

The harmless acute pancreatitis score (HAPS) identifies non-severe patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

We previously described a scoring system to identify patients with harmless acute pancreatitis as defined by absence of pancreatic necrosis, no need for artificial ventilation or dialysis, and non-fatal course. This scoring system, the Harmless Acute Pancreatitis Score (HAPS), can be quickly calculated from three parameters: absence of abdominal tenderness or rebound, normal hematocrit and normal creatinine level. We aim to assess the positive predictive value (PPV) of the HAPS by performing a meta-analysis of subsequently published studies.

METHODS

We performed a literature search using Pubmed, Web of Science^TM and Google Scholar. We used random effects models, with maximum likelihood estimates, to estimate the PPV of HAPS. We produced forest plots and used the I² statistic to quantify heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Twenty reports covering 6374 patients were identified. The overall PPV based on 16 studies that closely followed the original description of the HAPS system was 97% (95%CI 95-99%) with significant heterogeneity (I² = 76%; P < 0.01). For 11 studies in which HAPS was used to identify patients with mild AP, the overall PPV dropped to 83% (74-91%). For 8 studies in which HAPS was used to predict non-fatal course the overall PPV was 98% (97-100%).

CONCLUSION

The HAPS, if used as originally defined, accurately identifies patients with non-severe AP who will not require ICU care and facilitate selection of patients who can be discharged after a short stay on a general ward or can even be cared for at home. This could free hospital beds for other purposes and decrease healthcare costs.

Pancreatic Associated Manifestations in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic relapsing inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, encompassing Crohn’s disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) and inflammatory bowel disease unclassified (IBD-U). They are currently considered as systemic disorders determined by a set of genetic predispositions, individual susceptibility and environmental triggers, potentially able to involve other organs and systems than the gastrointestinal tract. A large number of patients experiences one or more extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs), whose sites affected are mostly represented by the joints, skin, bones, liver, eyes, and pancreas. Pancreatic abnormalities are not uncommon and are often underestimated, encompassing acute and chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and asymptomatic elevation of pancreatic enzymes. In most cases they are the result of environmental triggers. However, several genetic polymorphisms may play a role as precipitating factors or contributing to a more severe course. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated overview on the available evidence concerning the etiology, pathogenesis and clinical presentation of pancreatic diseases in IBD pediatric patients.

Heparin-binding protein is significantly increased in acute pancreatitis

Background

Most patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) experience mild, self-limiting disease with little or no need for hospital care. However, 20–25% of patients develop a more severe and potentially life-threatening condition with progressive systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiorgan failure, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. Predicting disease severity at an early stage is important, as immediate supportive care has been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of SIRS and organ failure, improving patient outcome. Several studies have demonstrated elevated levels of heparin-binding protein (HBP) in patients with sepsis and septic shock, and HBP is believed to play a part in endothelial dysfunction leading to vascular leakage. As HBP levels increase prior to other known biomarkers, HBP has emerged as a promising early predictor of severe sepsis with organ dysfunction.

Methods

Patients admitted to Skåne University Hospital in Malmö between 2010 and 2013 fulfilling the criteria for AP were identified in the emergency department and prospectively enrolled in this study. The primary outcome was measured levels of HBP upon hospital admission in patients with confirmed AP. Correlations among HBP concentrations, disease severity and fluid balance were considered secondary endpoints. The correlation between HBP levels and fluid balance were analysed using Pearson correlation, and the ability of HBP to predict moderately severe/severe AP was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

The overall median HBP level in this study was 529 (307–898) ng/ml. There were no significant group differences in HBP levels based on AP severity. Fluid balance differed significantly between patients with mild versus moderately severe and severe pancreatitis, but we found no correlation between HBP concentration and fluid balance.

Conclusions

HBP levels are dramatically increased in patients with AP, and these levels far exceed those previously reported in other conditions. In this study, we did not observe any significant correlation between HBP levels and disease severity or the need for intravenous fluid. Additional studies on HBP are needed to further explore the role of HBP in the pathogenesis of AP and its possible clinical implications.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01910-6.

The Initial Course of IL1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α with Regard to Severity Grade in Acute Pancreatitis

Clinical reports on early immune dysregulation in acute pancreatitis (AP) are scarce. Herein we investigate the initial temporal development of selected biomarkers. Blood samples were taken at 0–24 and 25–48 h after onsets of AP were acquired. Mean values and temporal intermediate difference (delta-values) of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α were calculated. Differences between severity groups, predictive capacity of the biomarkers and association with severe disease were analyzed. Paired comparison of samples (n = 115) taken at 0–24 and 25–48 h after onsets of AP showed a change over time for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 (p < 0.05) and a significant difference between severity groups after 24 h. In ROC-analysis an IL-6 cut-off level of 196.6 pg/mL could differentiate severe AP (sensitivity 81.9, specificity 91.3). The delta-values of IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly associated with severe outcomes (odds ratios 1.085 and 1.002, respectively). Data of this work demonstrate a distinct change in IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-6 over the first 48 h after onset of AP. The temporal development of biomarkers can assist in the early stratification of the disease. Herein IL-1β and IL-6 were associated with severe disease, however the prognostic capacity of investigated biomarkers is low.

New markers in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis in the emergency department: Immature granulocyte count and percentage

Background:

Acute pancreatitis (AP) may vary in severity, from mild, self-limiting pancreatic inflammation to rapidly progressive life-threatening clinical course. If the severity of AP can be predicted early and treated quickly, it may lead to a decrease in morbidity and mortality rates. There?fore, we aimed to investigate the clinical utility of immature granulocyte count (IGC) and IGC percentage (IG%) in showing the severity of AP in this study.

Methods:

Two hundred and twenty-seven patients who were admitted to our emergency department and diagnosed with AP between March 1 and September 30, 2019, were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as mild and severe AP (MAP and SAP) according to the severity of the disease. Demographic characteristics of the patients, disease etiology, disease severity, and inflammation markers [white blood cell count (WBC), IGC, IG%, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP)] were recorded. Differences between the groups were statistically analyzed.

Results:

Of the patients included in the study, 183 (80.7%) were in the MAP group and 44 (19.3%) were in the SAP group. The mean WBC, NLR, CRP, IGC, and IG% levels were significantly higher in the SAP group compared to the MAP group. The power of IGC and IG% in predicting SAP was higher than other inflammation markers (WBC, NLR, and CRP) [(AUC for IGC: 0.902; sensitivity: 78.2%; specificity: 92.8%); (AUC for IG%: 0.843; sensitivity: 72.7%; specificity: 84.6%)].

Conclusion:

IGC and IG% show the severity of AP more effectively than WBC, NLR, and CRP, which are traditional inflammation markers.

Acute necrotising pancreatitis: measurements of necrosis volume and mean CT attenuation help early prediction of organ failure and need for intervention

OBJECTIVES

This study explored the early predictive value of volume and mean CT density of necrosis for adverse outcomes in patients with acute necrotising pancreatitis (ANP).

METHODS

A total of 155 patients with ANP who underwent CECT within 7 days of symptom onset were included. The necrosis volume, mean CT density, and modified CT severity index (mCTSI) were calculated. C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels both 48 h after symptom onset were reviewed. Adverse outcomes were recorded. The predictive value of each indicator was assessed using ROC curve analysis.

RESULTS

There were significant associations between necrosis volume and mean CT density and organ failure (OF), persistent OF (POF), and need for intervention (p < 0.001 for all). For predicting OF, the area under the curve (AUC) was significantly higher for necrosis volume than for mCTSI and BUN (AUC: 0.84 vs 0.67, p = 0.0011; 0.84 vs 0.71, p = 0.0193, respectively). For predicting POF and need for intervention, the AUCs for necrosis volume were significantly higher than those for mCTSI (AUC: 0.79 vs 0.66, p = 0.0045; 0.77 vs 0.61, p = 0.0019, respectively), but did not significantly differ from those for CRP and BUN. For predicting OF, a significantly better predictive value was achieved with mean CT density than with mCTSI (AUC: 0.79 vs 0.67, p = 0.0163). There were no significant differences in predictive value between mean CT density, CRP, and BUN.

CONCLUSIONS

The volume and mean CT density of necrosis based on CECT can provide early prediction of OF, POF, and need for intervention.

KEY POINTS

• Compared to mCTSI, necrosis volume might be used to more accurately diagnose organ failure and persistent organ failure and might be better associated with the need for intervention. • Necrosis volume and mean CT density based on CECT are reliable quantitative predictors for organ failure, persistent organ failure, and intervention in acute pancreatitis.

Appraisal of the diagnostic procedures of acute pancreatitis in the guidelines

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively assess the heterogeneity of procedures in the diagnostic guidelines for acute pancreatitis and to identify gaps limiting knowledge in diagnosing this disease.

METHODS

A systematic search of a number of databases was performed to determine the guidelines for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in patients with severe pancreatitis. The guidelines for the diagnosis of severe pancreatitis were evaluated by AGREE II. The Measurement Scale of Rate of Agreement (MSRA) was used to assess the guidelines (2015-2020) and extract evidence supporting these recommendations for analysis.

RESULTS

Seven diagnostic guidelines for acute pancreatitis were included. Only the 2019 WSES Guidelines for the Management of Severe Acute Pancreatitis and the Japanese Guidelines for the Management of Acute Pancreatitis: Japanese Guidelines 2015 had a total score of more than 60%, which is worthy of clinical recommendation. The average scores of the Scope and Purpose domain and the Clarity and Expression domain were the highest at 71.62% and 75.59%, respectively, while the average score of the Applicability area was the lowest at 16.67%. The included guidelines were further analyzed to determine the heterogeneity of the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The main reasons for the heterogeneity were the citation of low-quality evidence, the presence of far too many indicators for the classification of acute pancreatitis, unclear depictions of the standard, and poorly comprehensive recommendations for the diagnosis of the aetiology in the primary diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, the severity classification, the aetiological diagnosis, and the diagnosis of comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of different diagnostic guidelines for severe pancreatitis is uneven. The recommendations are largely based on low-quality evidence, and the guidelines still have much room for improvement to reach a high level of quality. The diagnostic procedures for acute pancreatitis vary widely in different guidelines. There are large differences between them, and resolving the abovementioned reasons would be a very wise choice for guideline developers to revise and upgrade the guidelines in the future.

The diagnostic value of serum C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukin-6 and lactate dehydrogenase in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease with rapid progression. In severe cases, it can cause systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), multiple organ failure (POF) and even death. The study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in patients with severe AP.

METHODS

AP patients (n = 153) divided into mild AP patients (n = 81) and severe AP patients (n = 72) were selected from June 2014 to June 2016. The demographic information (age, sex) and the hematological parameters (WBC, PLT, CRP, PCT, IL-6, LDH and so on) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found out of CRP, PCT, IL-6 and LDH values between AP patients and controls (P < 0.05), even those results had significant difference between MAP group and SAP group (P < 0.05). In SAP group, the cut-off values of CRP, PCT, IL-6 and LDH were 16.62, 2.29, 16.66, 273.04; sensitivity 55.6%, 77.8%, 80.2%, 82.7%; specificity 73%, 94%, 85%, 96% and AUC 0.637, 0.929, 0.886, 0.919, respectively. The AUC of combined detection of CRP, PCT, IL-6 and LDH was 0.989 (95%CI).

CONCLUSION

The combined detection of CRP, PCT, IL-6 and LDH has a high diagnostic value for judging the severity of AP.

Association between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Pancreatitis: A PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL were systematically searched for correlative studies till 2 November 2019. RevMan5.3 was used to estimate relevance.

RESULTS

Three studies with 166008 participants were included. The risk of pancreatitis significantly increased in the patients with CD (OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 2.70-4.28; P < 0.00001) and UC (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.91-3.26; P < 0.00001). Increased risks of CD (OR, 12.90; 95% CI, 5.15-32.50; P < 0.00001) and UC (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.00-7.86; P = 0.05) were found in patients with chronic pancreatitis. As for patients with acute pancreatitis, there were significant association of CD (OR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.90-7.60; P = 0.0002), but were not UC.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence confirmed an association between pancreatitis and IBD. When pancreatitis patients have chronic diarrhea and mucus blood stool or IBD patients have repeated abdominal pain and weight loss, they should consult pancreatic and gastrointestinal specialists.

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Signaling Protects Against Acute Pancreatitis-Induced Damage by Modulating Inflammatory Responses

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a symptom of sudden pancreas inflammation, which causes patients severe suffering. In general, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) levels are increased and amylase and lipase activities are elevated during AP pathogenesis, but protein concentration are low. However, the mechanism through which FGF signaling regulates AP pathogenesis remains elusive. MATERIAL AND METHODS The concentrations of PGE2, TNF-alpha, sCRP, FGF1, and FGF2 in the serum samples of the AP group and healthy control group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, IkappaBalpha and p-IkappaBalpha levels were analyzed in the serum samples. Subsequently, the AP rat model was established, and FGF1, FGF2, anti-FGF1, and anti-FGF2 antibodies and Bay11-7082 were injected into AP rats. TNF-alpha, PAI-1 JNK, p-JNK, IkappaBalpha, and p-IkappaBalpha levels were also examined. RESULTS Results showed that levels of PGE2, TNF-alpha, sCRP, p-IkappaBalpha, FGF1, and FGF2, as well as amylase and lipase activity were increased in patients with AP compared with those in healthy people. In addition, protein concentrations were lower in patients with AP than in the healthy group. Activation of FGF signaling by injecting FGF1 or FGF2 also inhibited AP-induced inflammation response in the pancreas and increased amylase and lipase activities, as well as protein concentration. However, the injection of FGF1 and FGF2 antibodies accelerated AP-mediated inflammation responses in the serum. In addition, Bay11-7082 injection inhibited AP activation of inflammation response and amylase and lipase activities. Protein concentration were also increased in AP rats. CONCLUSIONS FGF signaling protects against AP-mediated damage by inhibition of AP-activating inflammatory responses.

Polyethylene Glycol 35 (PEG35) Protects against Inflammation in Experimental Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis and Associated Lung Injury

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas. Its presentation ranges from self-limiting disease to acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) with multiorgan failure and a high mortality. Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are non-immunogenic, non-toxic, and water-soluble chemicals composed of repeating units of ethylene glycol. The present article explores the effect of PEG35 administration on reducing the severity of ANP and associated lung injury. ANP was induced by injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct. PEG35 was administered intravenously either prophylactically or therapeutically. Three hours after ANP induction, pancreas and lung tissue samples and blood were collected and ANP severity was assessed. To evaluate the inflammatory response, gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokine and the changes in the presence of myeloperoxidase and adhesion molecule levels were determined in both the pancreas and the lung. To evaluate cell death, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and apoptotic cleaved caspase-3 localization were determined in plasma and in both the pancreatic and lung tissue respectively. ANP-associated local and systemic inflammatory processes were reduced when PEG35 was administered prophylactically. PEG35 pre-treatment also protected against acute pancreatitis-associated cell death. Notably, the therapeutic administration of PEG35 significantly decreased associated lung injury, even when the pancreatic lesion was equivalent to that in the untreated ANP-induced group. Our results support a protective role of PEG35 against the ANP-associated inflammatory process and identify PEG35 as a promising tool for the treatment of the potentially lethal complications of the disease.

Serum glycoprotein 2 as a biomarker of severity of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a main cause of acute abdominal pain. Although the pathophysiology of AP is not fully understood, it is now widely acknowledged that the activation of enzymes in zymogen granules (ZGs) plays an important role in the progression of AP. In AP animal models, the up-regulation of serum ZG glycoprotein 2 (GP2) can be used as a potential biological marker for AP.

AIM

To investigate whether serum GP2 can be used as an early biomarker of AP severity.

METHODS

In a prospective single-center cohort study, plasma samples and baseline clinical data were collected from 9 healthy subjects and 59 patients with AP within 24 h of onset. Serum GP2 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and their correlation with the severity of AP was analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 59 AP patients, 30 had mild AP, 16 had moderate AP, and 13 had severe AP. Serum GP2 levels were significantly increased in AP patients and positively correlated with AP severity. Using 2.3 ng/mL as the cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity of serum GP2 to distinguish moderate AP were 96.6% and 90.0%, respectively, and the positive and negative predictive values were 90.3% and 96.4%, respectively. Using 5.1 ng/mL as the cut-off point, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value to distinguish severe AP were all 100%. Serum GP2 was found to be a better prognostic marker than bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis score, hematocrit, admission or persistent systemic inflammatory response score, and C-reactive protein.

CONCLUSION

Serum GP2 increases in AP patients, and it positively correlates with the severity of AP, suggesting its potential to predict the severity of AP.

Pim-3 alleviates lipopolysaccharide-stimulated AR42J pancreatic acinar cell injury via improving the inflammatory microenvironment

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common acute abdominal disease characterized by pancreatic aseptic inflammation, with ~20% of patients progressing to severe AP (SAP) with a high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to explore the protective effects of Pim-3 proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (Pim-3) on rat pancreatic acinar AR4-2J cells damaged by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The recombinant plasmid p-enhanced green fluorescent protein (pEGFP)-N2/Pim-3 was transiently transfected into AR42J cells and the AR42J cells were then treated with 2 µg/ml LPS. Subsequently, the proliferation of AR42J cells was detected using MTT assay. The cell cycle progression and apoptosis rate of the AR42J cells were examined using flow cytometry. AR42J cell migration was assessed using wound healing assays. Additionally, RT-semi quantitative PCR and western blot analyses were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively, of Pim-3, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and Occludin in AR42J cells. The results revealed that proliferation of AR42J cells was significantly enhanced and cell apoptosis was markedly reduced in the pEGFP-N2/Pim-3 + LPS group. The proportion of AR42J cells in G1 phase in the pEGFP-N2/Pim-3 + LPS group was decreased, whereas the proportion of cells in the G2 and S phases was increased. The wound healing assays demonstrated that AR42J cell migration was significantly increased in the pEGFP-N2/Pim-3 + LPS group. Finally, the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and ICAM-1 were significantly decreased in the pEGFP-N2/Pim-3 + LPS group, whereas the expression of Occludin was significantly increased. The present study demonstrated that raised expression levels of Pim-3 can protect AR42J cells from LPS-induced injury by modifying the inflammatory microenvironment, suggesting that Pim-3 may be a potential target for AP or SAP therapy.

Computed Tomography Severity Index vs. Other Indices in the Prediction of Severity and Mortality in Acute Pancreatitis: A Predictive Accuracy Meta-analysis

Background: The management of the moderate and severe forms of acute pancreatitis (AP) with necrosis and multiorgan failure remains a challenge. To predict the severity and mortality of AP multiple clinical, laboratory-, and imaging-based scoring systems are available. Aim: To investigate, if the computed tomography severity index (CTSI) can predict the outcomes of AP better than other scoring systems. Methods: A systematic search was performed in three databases: Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible records provided data from consecutive AP cases and used CTSI or modified CTSI (mCTSI) alone or in combination with other prognostic scores [Ranson, bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP), Acute Physiology, and Chronic Health Examination II (APACHE II), C-reactive protein (CRP)] for the evaluation of severity or mortality of AP. Area under the curves (AUCs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and aggregated with STATA 14 software using the metandi module. Results: Altogether, 30 studies were included in our meta-analysis, which contained the data of 5,988 AP cases. The pooled AUC for the prediction of mortality was 0.79 (CI 0.73-0.86) for CTSI; 0.87 (CI 0.83-0.90) for BISAP; 0.80 (CI 0.72-0.89) for mCTSI; 0.73 (CI 0.66-0.81) for CRP level; 0.87 (CI 0.81-0.92) for the Ranson score; and 0.91 (CI 0.88-0.93) for the APACHE II score. The APACHE II scoring system had significantly higher predictive value for mortality than CTSI and CRP (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), while the predictive value of CTSI was not statistically different from that of BISAP, mCTSI, CRP, or Ranson criteria. The AUC for the prediction of severity of AP were 0.80 (CI 0.76-0.85) for CTSI; 0.79, (CI 0.72-0.86) for BISAP; 0.83 (CI 0.75-0.91) for mCTSI; 0.73 (CI 0.64-0.83) for CRP level; 0.81 (CI 0.75-0.87) for Ranson score and 0.80 (CI 0.77-0.83) for APACHE II score. Regarding severity, all tools performed equally. Conclusion: Though APACHE II is the most accurate predictor of mortality, CTSI is a good predictor of both mortality and AP severity. When the CT scan has been performed, CTSI is an easily calculable and informative tool, which should be used more often in routine clinical practice.

Change in serum levels of inflammatory markers reflects response of percutaneous catheter drainage in symptomatic fluid collections in patients with acute pancreatitis

Background

Percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) is used as the first step in the management of symptomatic fluid collections in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). There are limited data on the effect of PCD on inflammatory markers.

Aim

To study the effects of PCD on serum levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), IL‐6, and IL‐10 and its correlation with the outcome.

Methods

Consecutive patients of AP with symptomatic fluid collections undergoing PCD were evaluated for serum levels of CRP, IL‐6, and IL‐10 before PCD and at 3 and 7 days after PCD. Resolution of organ failure (OF), sepsis, and pressure symptoms was considered to demonstrate the success of PCD. Changes in levels following PCD were correlated with outcome.

Results

Indications of PCD in 59 patients (age 38.9 ± 13.17 years, 49 male) were suspected/documented infected pancreatic necrosis (n = 45), persistent OF (n = 40), and pressure symptoms (n = 7). A total of 49 (83.1%) patients improved with PCD, five patients required surgery, and six died. A significant difference was noted between baseline levels of CRP (P = 0.026) and IL‐6 (P = 0.013) among patients who improved compared to those who worsened following PCD. Significant decrease (P < 0.01) of all three markers on day 3 of PCD insertion, with further decrease (P < 0.01) on day 7, was noted. The percentage of the decrease of IL‐6 levels on day 3 and of CRP on day 7 correlated with the outcome.

Conclusion

PCD is associated with a significant decrease in CRP, IL‐6, and IL‐10 levels. Percentage decrease in IL‐6 on day 3 and CRP on day 7 correlated with the outcome of patients managed with PCD.

2019 WSES guidelines for the management of severe acute pancreatitis

Although most patients with acute pancreatitis have the mild form of the disease, about 20-30% develops a severe form, often associated with single or multiple organ dysfunction requiring intensive care. Identifying the severe form early is one of the major challenges in managing severe acute pancreatitis. Infection of the pancreatic and peripancreatic necrosis occurs in about 20-40% of patients with severe acute pancreatitis, and is associated with worsening organ dysfunctions. While most patients with sterile necrosis can be managed nonoperatively, patients with infected necrosis usually require an intervention that can be percutaneous, endoscopic, or open surgical. These guidelines present evidence-based international consensus statements on the management of severe acute pancreatitis from collaboration of a panel of experts meeting during the World Congress of Emergency Surgery in June 27-30, 2018 in Bertinoro, Italy. The main topics of these guidelines fall under the following topics: Diagnosis, Antibiotic treatment, Management in the Intensive Care Unit, Surgical and operative management, and Open abdomen.

Serum interleukin-35 and pentraxin-3 levels in patients with mild acute pancreatitis

Introduction

Interleukin-35 (IL-35) is a newly defined potent anti-inflammatory cytokine that is predominantly produced by regulatory T cells, and pentraxin-3 belongs to the acute-phase proteins.

Aim

To measure the serum IL-35 and pentraxin-3 levels in the early phase of mild acute pancreatitis (AP).

Material and methods

Eighty-three patients with mild AP and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. The serum levels of IL-35 and pentraxin-3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay upon admission and at the 48^th hour after diagnosis.

Results

The mean value of serum IL-35 levels in patients with mild acute pancreatitis at admission was 5.91 ng/ml (4.21–7.90) and was significantly lower than those in healthy controls (25.53 ng/ml (12.79–54.73, p < 0.001)) and 48-hour value were (6.79 ng/ml (4.42–9.62) (p = 0.015)). The mean value of serum pentraxin-3 levels in patients at the time of admission was 6.75 ng/ml (4.42–9.62) and there was no significant difference from healthy controls, at 7.64 ng/ml (6.58–8.62, p > 0.05). Also there was no significant difference between the mean value at admission and the mean value at 48-hour, 6.75 ng/ml (4.74–9.06, p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Interleukin-35 can be used in diagnosis and follow-up in patients with mild AP.