Case Control Study
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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 28, 2014; 20(36): 13127-13132
Published online Sep 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i36.13127
Decreased serum platelet derived growth factor BB levels in acute and increased in chronic pancreatitis
Magdalena Stojek, Krystian Adrych, Lukasz Rojek, Marian Smoczynski, Tomasz Sledzinski, Sylwia Szrok, Julian Swierczynski
Magdalena Stojek, Krystian Adrych, Lukasz Rojek, Marian Smoczynski, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-952 Gdansk, Poland
Tomasz Sledzinski, Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland
Sylwia Szrok, Julian Swierczynski, Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland
Author contributions: Adrych K and Swierczynski J designed research; Stojek M, Adrych K, Rojek L, Smoczynski M treated patients and collected material and clinical data from patients; Stojek M and Szrok S performed the assays; Sledzinski T analysed data; Stojek M wrote the paper.
Supported by Medical University of Gdansk Grants ST-43, ST-40 and ST-41 and Polpharma (Starogard Gdanski)
Correspondence to: Julian Swierczynski, Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, ul. Debinki 1, 80-211 Gdansk, Poland. juls@gumed.edu.pl
Telephone: +48-58-3491462 Fax: +48-58-3491465
Received: April 2, 2014
Revised: June 3, 2014
Accepted: June 25, 2014
Published online: September 28, 2014
Processing time: 182 Days and 2.7 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To examine circulating growth factor concentrations in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP), and walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN).

METHODS: Forty patients with mild AP, 40 patients with alcoholic CP, 33 patients with WOPN and 40 healthy subjects were examined. Serum concentrations of platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ-1), chemerin and high-mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMBG1) were assayed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: Patients with mild AP and those with WOPN had significantly lower serum levels of PDGF-BB compared to healthy subjects (4.0 ± 0.61 ng/mL vs 6.2 ± 0.76 ng/mL, P = 0.027, and 1.60 ± 0.31 ng/mL vs 6.2 ± 0.76 ng/mL, P < 0.001, respectively), while CP was associated with higher serum levels of PDGF-BB (12 ± 1.3 ng/mL vs 6.2 ± 0.76 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Circulating TGFβ-1 and chemerin levels were elevated in CP patients (57 ± 3.6 ng/mL vs 39 ± 3.6 ng/mL, P < 0.001 and 73 ± 7.2 ng/mL vs 48 ± 2.3 ng/mL, P < 0.001, respectively), but not in patients with AP and WOPN. No significant changes in serum HMBG1 levels were found either in patients with AP, WOPN or CP.

CONCLUSION: The serum levels of some growth factors and cytokines differ significantly in AP, WOPN and CP. These data suggest that selected growth factors and cytokines may be considered as potential diagnostic biomarkers in patients with pancreatic diseases.

Keywords: Acute pancreatitis; Chronic pancreatitis; Walled-off pancreatic necrosis; Growth factors; Platelet derived growth factor BB; Transforming growth factor β-1; High-mobility group box chromosomal protein 1; Chemerin

Core tip: Patients with mild acute pancreatitis (AP) and patients with walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) had significantly lower serum levels of platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) compared to healthy subjects. In contrast, alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (CP) was associated with higher serum levels of PDGF-BB. Circulating transforming growth factor β1 and chemerin levels were elevated in CP patients, but not in patients with AP and WOPN. No significant changes in serum high-mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 levels were found either in patients with AP, WOPN or CP. These data suggest that selected growth factors and cytokines may be considered as potential diagnostic biomarkers in patients with pancreatic diseases.