Chronic pancreatitis and alpha-1-antitrypsin.
110 patients with proven chronic pancreatitis have been studied to assess the prevalence of the various Pi phenotypes of alpha1-antitrypsin in this disease compared with a control group of 116 blood-donors. The phenotype PiMZ (including Mweak) was significantly more prevalent and PiMM significantly less so in the patients with pancreatitis. It is possible that a heterozygous deficiency of this protease inhibitor renders the pancreas more vulnerable to aetiological agents (e.g., alcohol).
D001782:Blood Donors; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D010641:Phenotype; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000097:blood; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin