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Serum group I pepsinogens level in cystic fibrosis
Insights
Patients with cystic fibrosis have higher fasting serum pepsinogen 1 levels. The cause of this increase in pepsinogen 1, a key digestive enzyme, remains unknown in cystic fibrosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs.
- Pepsinogen 1 is a precursor to pepsin, a digestive enzyme.
- Altered gastrointestinal function is common in CF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum pepsinogen 1 levels in children with cystic fibrosis.
- To compare these levels with age-matched healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay was used to measure fasting serum pepsinogen 1.
- 30 patients with cystic fibrosis and 30 healthy children were studied.
Main Results:
- Serum pepsinogen 1 levels were significantly higher in cystic fibrosis patients (49 +/- 18 ng/ml) compared to controls (38 +/- 12 ng/ml).
- No correlation was found between elevated pepsinogen 1 and oxygen/carbon dioxide levels, fat balance, or acid output.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum pepsinogen 1 is observed in cystic fibrosis patients.
- The underlying mechanisms for this elevation are currently unknown.
- These findings may offer insights into the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis.
Abstract:
Fasting serum pepsinogen 1 level was determined by radioimmunoassay in 30 patients with cystic fibrosis and in on equal number of age-matched healthy children. Serum pepsinogen 1 basal levels were significantly higher (49 +/- 18 ng/ml; p less than 0.01) in cystic fibrosis patients than in controls (38 +/- 12 ng/ml). The increased pepsinogen 1 level did not correlate with the levels of Po2 and Pco2 tensions, fat balance or basal and maximum acid outputs. It is concluded that the mechanisms which lead to a rise of serum pepsinogen 1 in cystic fibrosis are unknown. However these findings could provide useful information with regard to the biology of a disease whose physiopathology is still unknown.