Fat-soluble vitamin concentration in chronic alcohol-induced pancreatitis. Relationship with steatorrhea.
In order to study the fat-soluble vitamin concentration of patients with chronic alcohol-induced pancreatitis (CAIP) we measured vitamins A and E, total lipids, and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in the plasma of 44 patients with CAIP and 83 controls (44 healthy controls; 39 Crohn's disease patients). Mean plasma vitamin E and vitamin E/total lipid ratio were significantly lower in CAIP when compared with either control or Crohn's disease groups. A low vitamin E/total lipid ratio was found in 75% of CAIP patients (91% with steatorrhea) and a ratio less than 1.0 was virtually 100% predictive of steatorrhea. The mean plasma vitamin A level for the CAIP group was significantly lower (overall 16%, 38% with steatorrhea) than in controls. Patients with CAIP show subnormal plasma levels vitamin E more often as compared to vitamin A. Further, the plasma vitamin E/total lipids ratio may be a sensitive and practical means in the detection and follow-up of steatorrhea in these patients.
Marotta
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F
Gastrointestinal Clinic, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
Labadarios
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D
Frazer
L
L
Girdwood
A
A
Marks
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IN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000150:complications*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D012995:Solubility; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood*
D008055:Lipids; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D014815:Vitamins; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E