Serotonin, calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide in acute pancreatitis

Kirsten Lykke Wahlstrøm, Srdan Novovic, Annette Kjær Ersbøll, Philip Hasbak, Lars Nannestad Jørgensen, Mark Berner Hansen

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate plasma levels of serotonin, calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the course of acute pancreatitis (AP) taking organ failure, etiology and severity into consideration. Material and methods: Sixty consecutive patients with alcohol- or gallstone-induced AP were included over a 15-month period. Patients were treated according to a standardized algorithm and monitored for organ specific morbidity and mortality. Organ functions and blood samples were assessed on days 0, 1, 2 and 14 after hospital admission. Twenty healthy volunteers, matched for age and gender, comprised the reference group. Results: Lower levels of serotonin were observed in patients at admission compared to healthy volunteers (p =.021). Serotonin levels increased from day 2 to 14 (p <.001), but with no relation to severity, etiology or organ failure. No difference in calcitonin levels was found in patients at admission compared to healthy volunteers. However, calcitonin levels decreased over time (p <.001) and higher levels were found in patients with respiratory failure (p =.039). No difference was observed in relation to severity or etiology. CGRP levels in patients at admission did not differ from healthy volunteers, nor did CGRP change over time or show any relationship to severity, etiology or organ failure. Conclusion: Our data suggest serotonin and calcitonin levels to be associated to time-course of AP, and calcitonin levels to organ dysfunction. We hypothesize that serotonin plays a pathogenic role in the compromised pancreatic microcirculation, and calcitonin a role as a biomarker of severity in AP.

Original languageEnglish
JournalScandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume52
Issue number10
Pages (from-to)1140-1147
ISSN0036-5521
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Oct 2017

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