title: Alcohol-related pancreatic damage: mechanisms and treatment.
abstract: Pancreatitis is a potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas often associated with long-term alcohol consumption. Symptoms may result from blockage of small pancreatic ducts as well as from destruction of pancreatic tissue by digestive enzymes. In addition, by-products of alcohol metabolism within the pancreas may damage cell membranes. Research on the causes of pancreatitis may support more effective disease management and provide hope for a potential cure.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Unit, Pancreatic Research Group, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Apte
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Korsten
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019512:Pancreatitis, Alcoholic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*