High serum levels of secretory immunoglobulin A in chronic pancreatitis

• Published in: Digestive and liver disease 2000-05, Vol.32 (4), p.329-334
• Main Authors: Frulloni, L., Negri, M., Brunelli, S., Bovo, P., Vaona, B., Calore, B., Liani, C., Di Francesco, V., Cavallini, G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: chronic pancreatitis; fibrosis; slgA
• ISSN: 1590-8658; 1878-3562
• DOI: 10.1016/S1590-8658(00)80026-2

Background and aim. Elevated levels of secretory immunoglobulin A have been reported in patients with cholestatic hepatitis. Secretory immunoglobulin A is present in the biliary and pancreatic tract. Chronic pancreatitis is a disease characterized by dilatation of Wirsung's duct. The aim of the study was to evaluate secretory immunoglobulin A levels in patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis. Patients and Methods. The study population consisted of 66 consecutive chronic pancreatitis patients (55 male, 11 female; mean age 49.6± 10 years), 26 patients suffering from acute recurrent pancreatitis (9 males, 17 females; mean age 39.6±10.6 years) and 90 healthy controls, pair-matched for sex and age with the chronic pancreatitis patients. Secretory immunoglobulin A was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, as were serum alanine transaminase and GGT. Results. Secretory immunoglobulin A levels were significantly higher in chronic pancreatitis patients (35±23.7 mg/I) than in those acute recurrent pancreatitis group (16. 1±7.9) and in healthy controls (11.8±4.9 mg/I) (p