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Serum selenium concentrations in chronic pancreatitis and controls.
B Vaona1, A M Stanzial, G Talamini
1Gastroenterological and Surgical Department, University of Verona, Italy. bruna.vaona@univr.it
Summary
Patients with chronic pancreatitis have lower selenium levels, particularly those with moderate to severe pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. This suggests selenium plays a role in pancreatic disease pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Pancreatic damage may be linked to oxygen free radical toxicity.
- Investigating the role of selenium in pancreatic disease is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the correlation between selenium levels and exocrine pancreatic function impairment.
- Assessing selenium's role in chronic pancreatitis patients.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 38 chronic pancreatitis patients and 48 healthy controls.
- Assayed serum selenium levels and evaluated body mass index, smoking, and drinking habits.
- Subdivided patients based on lipase output to assess exocrine pancreatic function.
Main Results:
- Overall, chronic pancreatitis patients had significantly lower serum selenium levels than controls.
- Severe and moderate exocrine pancreatic insufficiency subgroups showed significant selenium level differences compared to controls.
- No significant difference was observed in mild insufficiency subgroup.
Conclusions:
- Mean serum selenium levels are lower in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
- Reduced selenium levels correlate with the severity of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.