Serum E-cadherin and Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Acute Pancreatitis: Exploring Time Course, and Severity Assessment

Abstract

Aims: The role of e-cadherin () and hepatocyte growth factor ( hGF) in acute pancreatitis ( aP), especially in determining the severity of the disease, is debated to varying degrees. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the ec and hGF time course in the early phases of a P and to explore the usefulness of these molecules in assessing the severity of the disease. Methods: Sixteen consecutive aP patients (7 males, 9 females, mean age 62.8 years, range 30-79 years) admitted to the hospital within 6 h after the onset of pain, and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were studied. eleven patients had mild pancreatitis and 5 had severe disease. ec and the hGF were quantified on hospital admission and for the following two days using commercially available kits. Results: ec serum levels were significantly higher on the first (p=0.015) and the second day (p=0.015) of the disease in aP patients than in healthy subjects while serum hGF concentrations were significantly higher (p=0.044) in aP patients than in healthy subjects on the second day of the disease. ec and hGF serum concentrations were not significantly different between patients with severe disease and those with mild disease. Conclusion: ec and hGF reflect an inflammatory response in aP patients; however, the serum levels of these two molecules are not related to the severity of aP. Immunogastroenterology 2013; 2:57-61 See related editorial on pages 7-8