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Lactoferrin secretion in alcoholic pancreatic disease
1Department of Medicine, Northport VAMC, Stony Brook, New York.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|February 1, 1988
Summary
Elevated lactoferrin levels in pancreatic juice are present even in early stages of alcoholic pancreatic disease. This finding suggests lactoferrin may serve as an early biomarker for alcoholic pancreatitis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Biochemistry
- Pancreatic Diseases
Background:
- Lactoferrin is a protein found in pancreatic juice.
- Increased lactoferrin secretion is observed in chronic pancreatitis.
- The stage at which lactoferrin increases in alcoholic pancreatitis is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lactoferrin and enzyme secretion in different stages of alcoholic pancreatic disease.
- To determine if elevated lactoferrin occurs early in alcoholic pancreatitis.
Main Methods:
- Measured lactoferrin and enzyme outputs in duodenal juice.
- Utilized a multilumen, marker-perfused duodenal catheter.
- Compared healthy subjects with asymptomatic alcoholics, recovered alcoholics, and those with chronic pancreatitis.
Main Results:
- Alcoholic subjects showed significantly higher lactoferrin concentrations and outputs than healthy individuals.
- Elevated lactoferrin was observed in asymptomatic alcoholics, indicating an early-stage change.
- Increased secretory rates of chymotrypsin and trypsin were noted in asymptomatic and recovered alcoholics.
Conclusions:
- Lactoferrin secretion is elevated in alcoholics, even before clinical pancreatitis develops.
- Increased lactoferrin output may indicate early pancreatic damage in alcoholics.
- Lactoferrin could be a potential early marker for alcoholic pancreatic disease.