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Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Acute pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas caused by the early activation of digestive enzymes, leading to the autodigestion of pancreatic tissue. This results in local inflammation and, in severe cases, systemic complications.EtiologyUnderstanding the underlying causes is crucial, as identifying the etiology guides treatment and anticipates complications. Acute pancreatitis can be triggered by various factors, typically grouped into the following clinical categories.Biliary...

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It can be either acute or chronic.
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:

Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology

Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive and irreversible inflammation of the pancreas, most often caused by long-term alcohol abuse, but it can also be related to ductal obstruction, smoking, or genetic factors.Chronic pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is repeatedly exposed to harmful agents like alcohol, smoking, ductal obstruction, or genetic predisposition. These factors lead to the release of toxic metabolites and inflammatory cytokines, sustaining chronic inflammation in the pancreatic...

Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing, relapsing inflammation of the pancreas, characterized by irreversible damage to the gland. It results in progressive destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma, fibrosis, and eventual loss of both exocrine and endocrine function. The disease may evolve gradually after multiple episodes of acute pancreatitis or develop independently.EtiologyChronic pancreatitis can arise from a variety of causes:Alcohol use is the leading cause, accounting for 70–80% of...

Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction

The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
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...

Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase

Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase

Phase II biotransformation reactions are essential for detoxifying and eliminating xenobiotics, including many pharmaceutical compounds. These reactions typically involve conjugation, the covalent attachment of polar endogenous groups such as glucuronic acid, sulfate, methyl, or acetyl moieties to functional groups introduced during Phase I metabolism. The resulting conjugates are more water-soluble, enabling efficient renal or biliary excretion.The major classes of Phase II enzymes include...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Visualization and Analysis of Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Hepatic Microcirculation: Application to an Acute Hepatitis Model

Visualization and Analysis of Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Hepatic Microcirculation: Application to an Acute Hepatitis Model

Published on: August 4, 2012

Structural insight into acute intermittent porphyria.

Gaojie Song¹, Yang Li, Chongyun Cheng

¹National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, 15 Datun Lu, Beijing 100101, China.

FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

|October 22, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is linked to reduced porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) activity. The 3D structure of human PBGD reveals its catalytic mechanism, aiding potential drug development for AIP.

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Porphyrin-Modified Beads for Use as Compensation Controls in Flow Cytometry

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Published on: March 24, 2023

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Visualization and Analysis of Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Hepatic Microcirculation: Application to an Acute Hepatitis Model

Visualization and Analysis of Blood Flow and Oxygen Consumption in Hepatic Microcirculation: Application to an Acute Hepatitis Model

Published on: August 4, 2012

Porphyrin-Modified Beads for Use as Compensation Controls in Flow Cytometry

Porphyrin-Modified Beads for Use as Compensation Controls in Flow Cytometry

Published on: March 24, 2023

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Structural Biology
Genetics

Background:

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a common inherited disorder of heme biosynthesis.
Reduced activity of porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) is associated with AIP symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the 3-dimensional structure of human PBGD.
To elucidate the molecular mechanism of PBGD catalysis and its relation to AIP.

Main Methods:

X-ray crystallography to determine the 3D structure of human PBGD at 2.2 A resolution.
Structural analysis to identify key residues, cofactor interactions, and domain movements.

Main Results:

The 3D structure revealed a dipyrromethane cofactor linked to C261 in a positively charged cleft.
Catalytic residues (D99) and hinge residues (H120) were identified, with H120P mutation causing inactivation.
Some AIP-associated mutations are located distant from the active site, suggesting complex regulatory mechanisms.

Conclusions:

The determined structure provides molecular insights into PBGD's mechanism of action.
Understanding PBGD structure and function can guide the development of novel therapeutics for AIP aimed at up-regulating enzyme activity.