Biochemical vitamin E deficiency in chronic pancreatitis

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Chronic pancreatitis, particularly alcohol-induced, can lead to malabsorption and nutritional deficiencies.
• Vitamin E is a crucial fat-soluble antioxidant, and its deficiency can have significant health implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of biochemical vitamin E deficiency in patients with chronic alcohol-induced pancreatitis.
• To compare vitamin E status between pancreatitis patients and control groups.
• To investigate the relationship between vitamin E deficiency and steatorrhoea in chronic pancreatitis.

Main Methods:

• Plasma vitamin E and total blood lipids were measured in 44 chronic pancreatitis patients and 83 controls (44 normal, 39 Crohn's disease).
• The ratio of vitamin E to total blood lipids was used as a sensitive indicator of vitamin E status.
• Patients were subgrouped based on the presence or absence of steatorrhoea.

Main Results:

• Patients with chronic pancreatitis showed significantly lower mean plasma vitamin E and vitamin E/total lipids ratios compared to both control groups.
• A low vitamin E/total lipids ratio was observed in 75% of pancreatitis patients.
• The vitamin E/total lipids ratio was significantly lower in the steatorrhoea subgroup (91% with low ratio) and also in the non-steatorrhoea subgroup compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Biochemical vitamin E deficiency is prevalent in chronic alcohol-induced pancreatitis.
• Vitamin E deficiency is particularly pronounced in patients with steatorrhoea.
• Factors beyond fat malabsorption may contribute to vitamin E deficiency in pancreatitis patients without steatorrhoea.