Can Oxidative Stress Markers Indicate Any Proof of the EUS Findings of Chronic Pancreatitis in the Early Stage?

Abstract

Background and Aim: Although endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is considered the most sensitive modality for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (CP), the evidence that EUS findings correlate with histological changes is not enough. By the way, oxidative stress is well-known as one of the cause of CP. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether oxidative stress markers can be the evidence of EUS findings suggestive of CP or not. Patients and Methods: Twelve patients diagnosed as CP and 6 patients suspected of early CP clinically were enrolled. EUS findings were referred to the EUS criteria of CP. The correlations between the number of EUS findings in the early CP suspected patients and the value of oxidative stress markers (glutathione, thioredoxin and SOD) were examined. And then we also evaluated the relationship between changes of the number of EUS abnormalities and of the value of oxidative stress markers in 7 patients who were demonstrated EUS more than twice (including both CP and suspected early CP). Results: EUS findings correlate with thioredoxin (rs=0.82, P=0.017). And there was a correlation between the change of the number of EUS findings and of the SOD value (rs=0.81, P=0.014). Conclusion: Thioredoxin may be one of the evidence of EUS findings that would be seen in an early stage of CP. The activity of the CP might be evaluated by EUS and SOD. Therefore oxidative stress markers may be the foundation for diagnosis of early CP.