High serum levels of secretory immunoglobullin A in chronic pancreatitis.
OBJECTIVE
Elevated levels of secretory immunoglobulin A have been reported in patients with cholestatic hepatitis. Secretory immunoglobulin A is present in the biliary and pancreatic tract. Chronic pancreatitis is a disease characterized by dilatation of Wirsung's duct. The aim of the study was to evaluate secretory immunoglobulin A levels in patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 66 consecutive chronic pancreatitis patients (55 male, 11 female; mean age 49.6+/-10 years), 26 patients suffering from acute recurrent pancreatitis (9 males, 17 females; mean age 39.6+/-10.6 years) and 90 healthy controls, pair-matched for sex and age with the chronic pancreatitis patients. Secretory immunoglobulin A was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as were serum alanine transaminase and GGT.


RESULTS
Secretory immunoglobulin A levels were significantly higher in chronic pancreatitis patients (35+/-23.7 mg/l) than in those acute recurrent pancreatitis group (16.1+/- 7.9) and in healthy controls (11.8+/-4.9 mg/l) (p<0.0001). Secretory immunoglobulin A was significantly higher in chronic pancreatitis patients with steatorrhoea, diabetes and calcifications and in those undergoing pancreatic surgery. Of 61 chronic pancreatitis patients, 14 (23%) had pathological GGT. When only chronic pancreatitis patients with normal GGT levels were analysed, the differences in secretory immunoglobulin A levels between groups of patients and between chronic pancreatitis subgroups remained statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that secretory immunoglobulin A is elevated in chronic pancreatitis. Its value in the staging of patients needs to be further evaluated.
Frulloni
L
L
Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Verona, Italy. frulloni@borgoroma.univr.it
Negri
M
M
Brunelli
S
S
Bovo
P
P
Vaona
B
B
Calore
B
B
Liani
C
C
Di Francesco
V
V
Cavallini
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000410:Alanine Transaminase