Plasma pancreatic polypeptide concentrations in acute pancreatitis

Plasma human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP) concentrations were measured in 17 patients with acute pancreatitis. On admission the mean plasma hPP concentration was 33 +/ 6,9 pmol/l (range 11-92 pmol/l), which was similar to the mean hPP concentration of 43 +/- 4 pmol/l (range 11-92 pmol/l) in age-matched healthy subjects. The plasma immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) concentration was elevated 5-fold. Nine patients were managed conventionally and received prolonged glucagon infusion, and 8 were managed conventionally and received saline infusion. Treatment was carried out in a double-blind manner. Glucagon infusion caused a further 5-fold rise in circulating IRG concentrations and an increase in the blood glucose concentration from 7,5 to 9,7 mmol/l. This was associated with a fall in hPP concentrations and a significant reduction in variability. It is suggested that plasma hPP levels are not elevated in patients with acute pancreatitis and, therefore, do not reflect acute pancreatic damage.