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Published on: November 5, 2020
Quantitative analysis of plasma DNA in severe acute pancreatitis
Anil Bagul1, Sudeep Pushpakom, James Boylan
1HPB Unit, Department of Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Context:
Release of genomic DNA into plasma as a result of necrotic and apoptotic pathways is a feature of a range of human tumours. Severe acute pancreatitis is characterized by inflammation but may also be associated with accelerated apoptotic and necrotic pathways.
Objectives:
This study uses quantitative real-time PCR to measure free circulating DNA in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.
Participants:
Forty-three patients with severe acute pancreatitis, 12 patients with pancreatic cancer and 28 non-cancer controls undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Methods:
Plasma DNA was purified and quantified using the RNase P transcription assay and quantitative PCR. In pancreatitis patients, baseline samples were taken on admission and further samples taken at a median of 5 days into the disease course.
Results:
Plasma DNA levels on admission in patients with acute pancreatitis (median: 0.40 ng/microL; range: 0.05-0.79 ng/microL) were significantly (P<0.001) lower than in non-cancer controls (median: 1.60 ng/microL; range: 0.45-9.10 ng/microL). In patients with acute pancreatitis, DNA levels significantly (P<0.001) fell during the disease course to a median value of 0.08 ng/microL (range: 0-0.53 ng/microL).
Conclusion:
This is the first study to use quantitative PCR to measure free plasma DNA in severe acute pancreatitis. The results show that plasma DNA is lower in patients with acute pancreatitis compared to control and that values fall further during the disease course.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...

