Role of oxygen free radicals in patients with acute pancreatitis.
OBJECTIVE
The generation of oxygen free radicals has been implicated in the pathogenesis of experimental pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to determine the role of oxygen free radicals in patients with acute pancreatitis.


METHODS
The plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid peroxide (LPO), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in 13 patients with acute pancreatitis and 14 healthy volunteers.


RESULTS
Among the patients with acute pancreatitis, there were higher plasma levels of LPO and MPO and lower SOD activity in patients with severe pancreatitis than in those with mild pancreatitis. However, there was no significant difference in the serum marker of oxidative stress no matter what the etiology was. The LPO level was especially correlated with the concentration of serum CRP and CT severity index.


CONCLUSIONS
The oxygen free radicals may be closely associated with inflammatory process and the severity of acute pancreatitis. Especially, the concentration of plasma LPO is a meaningful index for determining the severity of the disease.
Park
Byung Kyu
BK
Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, 120-752 Korea.
Chung
Jae Bock
JB
Lee
Jin Heon
JH
Suh
Jeong Hun
JH
Park
Seung Woo
SW
Song
Si Young
SY
Kim
Hyeyoung
H
Kim
Kyung Hwan
KH
Kang
Jin Kyung
JK
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood
D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009195:Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase