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Aims/hypothesis Previous metabolomics studies suggest that type 1 diabetes is preceded by specific metabolic disturbances. The aim of this study was to investigate whether distinct metabolic patterns occur in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of children who later develop pancreatic beta cell autoimmunity or overt type 1 diabetes. Methods In a longitudinal cohort setting, PBMC metabolomic analysis was applied in children who (1) progressed to type 1 diabetes (PT1D, n = 34), (2) seroconverted to ≥1 islet autoantibody without progressing to type 1 diabetes (P1Ab, n = 27) or (3) remained autoantibody negative during follow-up (CTRL, n = 10). Results During the first year of life, levels of most lipids and polar metabolites were lower in the PT1D and P1Ab groups compared with the CTRL group. Pathway over-representation analysis suggested alanine, aspartate, glutamate, glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism were over-represented in PT1D. Genome-scale metabolic models of PBMCs during type 1 diabetes progression were developed by using publicly available transcriptomics data and constrained with metabolomics data from our study. Metabolic modelling confirmed altered ceramide pathways, known to play an important role in immune regulation, as specifically associated with type 1 diabetes progression. Conclusions/interpretation Our data suggest that systemic dysregulation of lipid metabolism, as observed in plasma, may impact the metabolism and function of immune cells during progression to overt type 1 diabetes. Data availability The GEMs for PBMCs have been submitted to BioModels (www.ebi.ac.uk/biomodels/), under accession number MODEL1905270001. The metabolomics datasets and the clinical metadata generated in this study were submitted to MetaboLights (https://www.ebi.ac.uk/metabolights/), under accession number MTBLS1015.

T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation involve metabolic reprogramming resulting from the interplay of genes, proteins, and metabolites. Here, we aim to understand the metabolic pathways involved in the activation and functional differentiation of human CD4

T-cells are sentinels of adaptive cell-mediated immune responses. T-cell activation, proliferation and differentiation involves metabolic reprogramming involving the interplay of genes, proteins and metabolites. Here, we aim to understand the metabolic pathways involved in the activation and functional differentiation of human CD4+ T-cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17 and iTregs). We combined genome-scale metabolic modeling, gene expression data, targeted and non-targeted lipidomics experiments, together with in vitro gene knockdown experiments and showed that human CD4+ T-cells undergo specific metabolic changes during activation and functional differentiation. In addition, we identified and confirmed the importance of ceramide and glycosphingolipid synthesis pathways in Th17 differentiation and effector functions. Finally, through in vitro gene knockdown experiments, we substantiated the requirement of serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT), a de novo sphingolipid pathway in the expression of proinflammatory cytokine (IL17A and IL17F) by Th17 cells. Our findings may provide a comprehensive resource for identifying CD4+ T-cell-specific targets for their selective manipulation under disease conditions, particularly, diseases characterized by an imbalance of Treg / Th17 cells. Our data also suggest a role for elevated levels of ceramides in conditions comorbid with these diseases, e.g., obesity and insulin resistance.

Introduction: Celiac disease is characterized by an abnormal immune activation driven by the ingestion of gluten from wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten-specific CD4+ T cells play an important role in disease pathogenesis and are detectable among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Areas covered: This review summarizes the use of celiac disease patient PBMCs in clinical applications focusing on their exploitation in the development of diagnostic approaches and novel drugs to replace or complement gluten-free diet. Expert opinion: The most used PBMC-based methods applied in celiac disease research include ELISpot and HLA-DQ:gluten tetramer technology. ELISpot has been utilized particularly in research aiming to develop a celiac disease vaccine and in studies addressing the toxicity of different grains in celiac disease. HLA-DQ:gluten tetramer technology on the other hand initially focused on improving current diagnostics but in combination with additional markers it is also a useful outcome measure in clinical trials to monitor the efficacy of drug candidates. In addition, the technology serves well in the more detailed characterization of celiac disease-specific T cells, thereby possibly revealing novel therapeutic targets. Future studies may also reveal clinical applications for PBMC microRNAs and/or dendritic cells or monocytes present among PBMCs.

Summary T cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation involve metabolic reprogramming resulting from the interplay of genes, proteins, and metabolites. Here, we aim to understand the metabolic pathways involved in the activation and functional differentiation of human CD4+ T cell subsets (T helper [Th]1, Th2, Th17, and induced regulatory T [iTreg] cells). Here, we combine genome-scale metabolic modeling, gene expression data, and targeted and non-targeted lipidomics experiments, together with in vitro gene knockdown experiments, and show that human CD4+ T cells undergo specific metabolic changes during activation and functional differentiation. In addition, we confirm the importance of ceramide and glycosphingolipid biosynthesis pathways in Th17 differentiation and effector functions. Through in vitro gene knockdown experiments, we substantiate the requirement of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), a de novo sphingolipid pathway in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-17A and IL17F) by Th17 cells. Our findings provide a comprehensive resource for selective manipulation of CD4+ T cells under disease conditions characterized by an imbalance of Th17/natural Treg (nTreg) cells.

Objectives: Tumour-associated macrophages participate in tumour development and progression. The aim of this study was to assess the interactions of pancreatic cancer cells and pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, specifically their effect on pancreatic cancer cell migration and the changes in STAT-signalling. Methods: Monocytes were isolated from healthy subjects and differentiated into macrophages with M-CSF. The macrophages were polarized towards M1 by IL-12 and towards M2 by IL-10. We studied also the effect of pan-JAK/STAT-inhibitor P6. Macrophage polarization and STAT and NF kappa B-activation in both MiaPaCa-2 and macrophages were assessed by flow cytometry. We recorded the effect of co-culture on migration rate of pancreatic cancer cells MiaPaCa-2. Results: Macrophages increased the migration rate of pancreatic cancer cells. Co-culture activated STAT1, STAT3, STAT5, AKT and NF kappa B in macrophages and STAT3 in MiaPaCa-2 cells. IL-12 polarized macrophages towards M1 and decreased the migration rate of pancreatic cancer cells in co-cultures as well as P6. IL-10 skewed macrophage polarization towards M2 and induced increase of pancreatic cancer cells in co-cultures. Conclusion: Co-culture with macrophages increased pancreatic cancer cell migration and activated STAT3. It is possible to activate and deactivate migration of pancreatic cancer cells trough macrophage polarization. (C) 2017 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Previous metabolomics studies suggest that type 1 diabetes (T1D) is preceded by specific metabolic disturbances. Here we asked whether distinct metabolic patterns occur in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of children later developing pancreaticβ-cell autoimmunity or overt T1D. In a longitudinal cohort setting, PBMC metabolomic analysis was applied in children who either (1) progressed to T1D (PT1D, n=34), (2) seroconverted to ≥1 islet autoantibody without progressing to T1D (P1Ab, n=27), or (3) remained autoantibody negative during follow-up (CTRL, n=10). During the first year of life, levels of most lipids and polar metabolites were lower in PT1D and P1Ab, versus CTRLs. Pathway overrepresentation analysis suggested alanine, aspartate, glutamate, glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism were overrepresented in PT1D. Genome-scale metabolic models of PBMCs in T1D progression were developed using available transcriptomics data and constrained with metabolomics data from our study. Metabolic modeling confirmed altered ceramide pathways as specifically associated with T1D progression.

We explored prediction of severe acute pancreatitis (AP) and development of organ dysfunction (OD).Serum concentrations of serine peptidase inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1), trypsinogen 1, trypsinogen 2, and trypsinogen 3, complex between trypsin 2 and α1-antitrypsin, serum C-reactive protein, creatinine, and pancreatic amylase were measured in 239 AP patients with disease onset within 72 hours.SPINK1 distinguished most accurately patients who later developed severe AP. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for SPINK1 was 0.742, followed by trypsinogen 2 (0.726), complex between trypsin 2 and α1-antitrypsin (0.657), creatinine (0.656), trypsinogen 1 (0.652), trypsinogen 3 (0.557), and C-reactive protein (0.499). With a cutoff of 166 μg/L, SPINK1 had a specificity of 93%, a sensitivity of 48%, and diagnostic odds ratio of 11.52. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only SPINK1 was an independent predictor of severe AP among patients presenting without OD on admission (P0.001).Plasma levels of the biomarkers and creatinine correlated with the severity of AP and development of OD. In patients presenting without OD at admission, SPINK1 was an independent marker for later development of severe AP.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases among children in Western countries. Earlier metabolomics studies suggest that T1D is preceded by dysregulation of lipid metabolism. Here we used a lipidomics approach to analyze molecular lipids in a prospective series of 428 plasma samples from 40 children who progressed to T1D (PT1D), 40 children who developed at least a single islet autoantibody but did not progress to T1D during the follow-up (P1Ab) and 40 matched controls (CTR). Sphingomyelins were found to be persistently downregulated in PT1D when compared to the P1Ab and CTR groups. Triacylglycerols and phosphatidylcholines were mainly downregulated in PT1D as compared to P1Ab at the age of 3 months. Our study suggests that children who progressed to islet autoimmunity or overt T1D are characterized by distinct lipidomic signatures, which may be helpful in the identification of at-risk children before the initiation of autoimmunity.

Activated protein C (APC), an endogenous anticoagulant, has antithrombotic, fibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. We recently conducted a controlled study (APCAP, activated protein C in severe acute pancreatitis) of APC treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Here we studied the effect of APC on the pivotal coagulation parameters of the surviving patients in the APCAP study.The study consisted of 20 patients of whom 10 patients had received APC and 10 patients had received placebo. Coagulation parameters, physiological anticoagulants, thrombograms and circulating levels of IL-6 and CRP were determined on admission and at days 1, 3-4 and 6-7.During follow-up, the temporal levels of prothrombin time (PT) decreased and the temporal levels of thromboplastin time (TT) increased in placebo group (p0.001 for both), but not in APC group. The temporal levels of antithrombin (AT) increased less in APC group than in placebo group (p = 0.011). The shapes of the SAP patients' thrombograms were strongly deranged and were marginally affected by APC treatment.Coagulopathy in SAP, a complex phenomenon, is not alleviated by APC treatment. Rather, the patients receiving APC are heading toward normal homeostasis of coagulation slower than patients receiving placebo.

Aims Oxidative stress may contribute to the development of chronic pancreatitis (CP). The enzymes manganese superoxide dismutase 2 (MnSOD, SOD2) and catalase (CAT) counteract free radical activity within the mitochondria and the cytosol. Moreover, CAT activity contributes to the transformation of ethanol to acetaldehyde, a toxic intermediate product of ethanol metabolism, which has been associated with pancreatic damage. Common functional polymorphisms have been described in the MnSOD gene [rs4880, NM_000636.3:c.47 T > C, alanine (ALA) to valine (Val)] and in the CAT promoter region [rs1001179, NG_013339.1:g.4760 C > T]. We investigated whether these polymorphisms are associated with alcoholic CP. Methods We genotyped 470 patients with alcoholic CP for these MnSOD and CAT polymorphisms. We also analysed these variants in 357 healthy control subjects, and in an additional control group of 113 individuals with non-alcoholic CP. We used the age at onset of CP as marker of disease severity and investigated whether different genotypes are associated with different ages at onset. In patients with alcoholic CP, we investigated whether an interaction exists between smoking behaviour and genotypes by comparing genotype distributions in smokers and non-smokers. Results We did not observe significant differences of genotype frequencies between patient groups and controls. In patient groups, we did not find significant differences in the ages at onset between different genotypes. We did not observe an interaction between these polymorphisms. We did not find an association of these variants with smoking behaviour. Conclusions The investigated MnSOD and CAT polymorphisms do not predispose to the development of alcoholic CP. Short summary Patients with alcoholic pancreatitis and controls were genotyped for polymorphisms in oxidative stress genes. There were no significant differences of genotype frequencies between patients and controls, and no association with the age at onset of disease was observed. The polymorphisms are not associated with the development of alcoholic pancreatitis.

Phenotypes relevant to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in eukaryotes are jointly determined by nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Thus, in humans, the variable clinical presentations of mitochondrial disease patients bearing the same primary mutation, whether in nuclear or mitochondrial DNA, have been attributed to putative genetic determinants carried in the “other” genome, though their identity and the molecular mechanism(s) by which they might act remain elusive. Here we demonstrate cytoplasmic suppression of the mitochondrial disease-like phenotype of the Drosophila melanogaster nuclear mutant tko25t, which includes developmental delay, seizure sensitivity, and defective male courtship. The tko25t strain carries a mutation in a mitoribosomal protein gene, causing OXPHOS deficiency due to defective intramitochondrial protein synthesis. Phenotypic suppression was associated with increased mtDNA copy number and increased mitochondrial biogenesis, as measured by the expression levels of porin voltage dependent anion channel and Spargel (PGC1α). Ubiquitous overexpression of Spargel in tko25t flies phenocopied the suppressor, identifying it as a key mechanistic target thereof. Suppressor-strain mtDNAs differed from related nonsuppressor strain mtDNAs by several coding-region polymorphisms and by length and sequence variation in the noncoding region (NCR), in which the origin of mtDNA replication is located. Cytoplasm from four of five originally Wolbachia-infected strains showed the same suppressor effect, whereas that from neither of two uninfected strains did so, suggesting that the stress of chronic Wolbachia infection may provide evolutionary selection for improved mitochondrial fitness under metabolic stress. Our findings provide a paradigm for understanding the role of mtDNA genotype in human disease.

The Drosophila mutant tko(25t) exhibits a deficiency ofmitochondrial protein synthesis, leading to a global insufficiency of respiration and oxidative phosphorylation. This entrains an organismal phenotype of developmental delay and sensitivity to seizures induced bymechanical stress. We found that the mutant phenotype is exacerbated in a dose-dependent fashion by high dietary sugar levels. tko(25t) larvae were found to exhibit severe metabolic abnormalities that were further accentuated by high-sugar diet. These include elevated pyruvate and lactate, decreased ATP and NADPH. Dietary pyruvate or lactate supplementation phenocopied the effects of high sugar. Based on tissue-specific rescue, the crucial tissue in which this metabolic crisis initiates is the gut. It is accompanied by down-regulation of the apparatus of cytosolic protein synthesis and secretion at both the RNA and post-translational levels, including a novel regulation of S6 kinase at the protein level., Academy of Finland; Tampere University Hospital Medical Research Fund; Sigrid Juselius Foundation

In the Funding section, the grant number from the funder EMBO (Installation Grant to CDD) is listed incorrectly. The correct grant number is: 2138.

Recent studies suggest that pro-inflammatory type M1 macrophages inhibit tumor progression and that anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages enhance it. The aim of this study was to examine the interaction of type M1 and M2 macrophages with pancreatic cancer cells. We studied the migration rate of fluorescein stained pancreatic cancer cells on Matrigel cultured alone or with Granulocyte- Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) differentiated macrophages or with Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (M-CSF) differentiated macrophages, skewing the phenotype towards pro- and anti-inflammatory direction, respectively. Macrophage differentiation was assessed with flow cytometry and the cytokine secretion in cell cultures with cytokine array. Both GM-CSF and M-CSF differentiated macrophages increased the migration rate of primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line (MiaPaCa-2) and metastatic cell line (HPAF-II). Stimulation with IL6 or IL4+ LPS reversed the macrophages' increasing effect on the migration rate of Mi-aPaCa-2 completely and partly of HPAF-II. Co-culture with MiaPaCa-2 reduced the inflammatory cytokine secretion of GM-CSF differentiated macrophages. Co-culture of macrophages with pancreatic cancer cells seem to change the inflammatory cytokine profile of GM-CSF differentiated macrophages and this might explain why also GM-CSF differentiated macrophages promoted the invasion. Adding IL6 or IL4+ LPS to the cell culture with MiaPaCa-2 and GM-CSF or M-CSF differentiated macrophages increased the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and this could contribute to the reversion of the macrophage induced increase of cancer cell migration rate.

Subcutaneous linea alba fasciotorny (SLAF) is a minimally invasive treatment method for abdominal compartment syndrome initially used in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). A retrospective analysis of the first 10 patients with SAP undergoing SLAF was performed to analyze the effect and outcome of this decompressive procedure. The mean age of the patients was 46 (range 33-61) years. SLAF was performed 1 to 17 days postadmission, in six cases within 48 hours. The mean (range) preoperative intra-abdominal pressure was 31 (23-45) mm Hg and immediate postoperative intra-abdominal pressure was 20 (10-33) mm Hg. The mean decrease was 10 (2-17) mm Hg and the decompressive effect was considered sufficient in six cases. A completion laparostomy within 24 hours was required in four cases. The mean preoperative Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 12 (4-17) and 11 (1-20) 1 to 5 days postoperatively. The decrease was five or more score points in three patients with successful SLAF. The overall mortality and morbidity rates were 4/10 and 2/10; no complications were attributed to the SLAF itself. It is concluded that SLAF is a safe decompressive technique in SAP-related abdominal compartment syndrome. The initial effect is sufficient in about half of the patients. A completion midline laparostomy is required in the nonresponders.

Mutations in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex I are associated with multiple pathologies, and complex I has been proposed as a crucial regulator of animal longevity. In yeast, the single-subunit NADH dehydrogenase Ndi1 serves as a non-proton-translocating alternative enzyme that replaces complex I, bringing about the reoxidation of intramitochondrial NADH. We have created transgenic strains of Drosophila that express yeast NDI1 ubiquitously. Mitochondrial extracts from NDI1 -expressing flies displayed a rotenone-insensitive NADH dehydrogenase activity, and functionality of the enzyme in vivo was confirmed by the rescue of lethality resulting from RNAi knockdown of complex I. NDI1 expression increased median, mean, and maximum lifespan independently of dietary restriction, and with no change in sirtuin activity. NDI1 expression mitigated the aging associated decline in respiratory capacity and the accompanying increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, and resulted in decreased accumulation of markers of oxidative damage in aged flies. Our results support a central role of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex I in influencing longevity via oxidative stress, independently of pathways connected to nutrition and growth signaling.

We have previously shown that ethanol (EtOH) induces protective NF-kappaB activation in gastric surface epithelial cells. This study investigates the defense systems in rat gastric mucosal cells (RGM-1) exposed simultaneously to EtOH and taurocholate (TC) or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Simultaneous exposure to ASA and EtOH increased EtOH-induced caspase-3 activity and decreased cell viability, indicating synergetic damaging action. Simultaneous exposure to TC (5 mM) with EtOH (5%) increased EtOH-induced NF-kappaB activation, opposing EtOH-induced decrease in cell membrane integrity and in cell viability as shown by decreasing RelA expression with siRNA technique. Low doses of TC decreased the EtOH (5%) induced caspase-3 activity independently from NF-kappaB pathway and inhibited EtOH-induced decrease in caspase-3 precursor protein levels, also indicating the inhibition of caspase-3 pathway. The TC (5 mM)-induced protection in EtOH exposed tissues seems to have two distinct pathways, inhibition of apoptosis and enhancement of NF-kappaB signaling.

Objectives: Genotype assessment has been suggested to be a tool for predicting disease severity in acute pancreatitis (AP). To study this hypothesis, we performed genotype analysis of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) −308 A/G, CD14 −159C/T, and HSPA1B +1267 A/G polymorphisms. Methods: This is a case-control association study of 397 patients with AP (214 of whom had an alcohol-induced AP) and 300 controls. The control group comprised 218 subjects with detailed data of alcohol consumption, 70 of whom were heavy drinkers (daily alcohol intake >40 g), and 92 blood donors. The severity of AP was determined according to the Atlanta classification. Genotyping was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry-assisted genotyping method. Results: Major allele frequency in TNF gene was 0.87 for patients with AP and 0.86 for controls. For CD14, the gene major allele frequency was 0.60 for patients and 0.63 for controls. For HSPA1B, the major allele frequencies were 0.52 for patients and 0.49 for controls, respectively. The allele frequencies did not differ significantly between AP patients with organ failure and those with mild disease, patients with alcohol-induced AP, or those with biliary AP. The patients with septic infectious complications (n = 47) had genotype distribution no different from those with mild, uncomplicated disease (n = 245). Conclusions: The TNF, CD14, and HSPA1B polymorphisms studied seem not to play a role in determining the severity of AP or the risk of alcohol-induced AP and thus do not serve as a tool for predicting disease severity.

We have here elucidated whether ulcerogenic agents affect the production of NO and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ulcerogenic agents dose dependently induced NO and ROS production in mouse gastric epithelial cells. Taurocholate (TC, 5 mM) exposure did not affect cell viability, but it increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, NO production, ROS production, and epithelial permeability. Epithelial permeability was inhibited with NOS inhibitors or antioxidants. Oxidative stress induced by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and ethanol was not inhibited with NOS inhibitors. ASA induced ROS production even at low concentrations (1 mM), which did not affect cell viability. Ethanol-induced ROS production was linked to cell viability, suggesting direct oxidative stress caused by ethanol. Taurocholate-induced NO signaling and the ensuing production of ROS might contribute to initiation of defensive or adaptive cellular mechanisms. ASA-induced ROS signaling might have similar effects, whereas ethanol induced direct oxidative stress, having an influence on cell viability.

Complement activation occurs in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and may contribute to the development of organ failure. Because a number of enzymes are released during AP that could influence the complement inhibitor CD59, the purpose of this study was to examine serum levels of CD59 in relation to severity of AP.Twelve patients with severe AP had organ failure (referred to as the grade 2 group). For each of them, we found 2-3 age-matched AP patients who served as controls (n=27). Of these, a total of 13 had mild AP (grade 0 group) and 14 severe AP without organ failure (grade 1 group). Blood samples were collected at admission and on days 1 and 3-7 post-admission. Grade 2 patients were compared with grade 0 and grade 1 patients. CD59 levels were measured by a sandwich enzyme immunoassay.At admission, median CD59 levels were significantly higher (p = 0.002) in grade 2 patients (median 104.2 ng/ml, range 26.1-186.3) than in grade 0 patients (37.3, range 30.3-75.9) and grade 1 patients (38.6, range 19.9 96.1). CD59 levels remained higher in grade 2 patients than in grade 0 and 1 patients on day 1 (p = 0.001) and days 3-7 (p = 0.002). The CD59 levels correlated significantly (p0.05) with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (R = 0.40) and APACHE II scores (R = 0.32) on admission.Organ failure and severity of AP are associated with elevated serum levels of CD59.

Alcohol use is one of the two main aetiologies of acute pancreatitis. Detection of excessive alcohol consumption is problematic, illustrated by the fact that self-reports of alcohol consumption account for only approximately 50% of the reported sales of alcohol. To improve the reliability, structured questionnaires and various biochemical markers have been developed to estimate alcohol consumption objectively. Further, the pattern of drinking and level of consumption within the past 2 weeks may alter the clinical picture of the acute pancreatitis. The aim of this paper is to remind the clinician of the importance of accurate and complete history, the need to document the actual alcohol consumption, pattern of drinking, clinical signs of alcoholism and to use biochemical tests and sometimes questionnaires.

Purpose: The homozygous p.C282Y variant of the HFE gene is a major risk factor for hereditary hemochromatosis, a disorder of iron metabolism resulting in progressive iron accumulation in a variety of organs including the pancreas. Heterozygosity of p.C282Y and p.H63D may increase susceptibility to chronic liver and pancreatic disease. This study determines the frequencies of p.C282Y and p.H63D alterations in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods: In total, 958 patients (349 with alcoholic pancreatitis, 343 with idiopathic pancreatitis, 64 with familial chronic pancreatitis, 34 with acute pancreatitis, and 168 with pancreatic adenocarcinoma) were enrolled and compared with 681 healthy and 100 alcoholic controls. Furthermore, 45 parent–offspring trios were included for segregation analysis. Genotyping of p.C282Y and p.H63D was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism or melting curve analyses. Results: No significant differences were found in heterozygosity for p.C282Y and p.H63D when patients with alcoholic (8.0/21.5%), idiopathic (7.3/24.5%), or familial (9.8/23.0%) pancreatitis, or pancreatic adenocarcinoma (5.4/28.6%) were compared with healthy (6.2/24.8%) and alcoholic (7.0/25.0%) controls. Neither genotype was associated with the presence of secondary diabetes mellitus in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Conclusion: Although hemochromatosis is associated with pancreatic pathology, the p.C282Y and p.H63D variants do not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Obesity is a risk factor for a severe form of acute pancreatitis (AP). Because the underlying mechanisms are poorly known, we studied relationship between the severity of AP and plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin, 2 adipokines regulating the course of systemic inflammation.The study comprises 12 patients with severe AP and 12 control patients with mild AP matched by age (+/-10 years), body mass index (+/-3 kg/m), sex, and etiology of AP. Quantikine Human Adiponectin and Quantikine Human Leptin Immunoassays (RD Systems, Minneapolis, Minn) were used to measure the adipokine levels in the patients' plasma on admission and during the hospital stay.Median leptin concentrations on admission were 6.1 ng/mL (range, 1.6-72.9 ng/mL) in the severe AP group and 9.0 ng/mL (range, 2.5-36.3 ng/mL) in the mild AP group (P0.05). In severe AP, the value at days 2 to 4 (7.7 ng/mL; range, 1.6-13.9 ng/mL) did not differ from respective on-admission value (P0.05). In mild AP, the value at days 2 to 4 (3.8 ng/mL; range, 1.6-12.9 ng/mL) was lower than the respective on-admission value (P = 0.005). Adiponectin concentrations on admission were 5642 ng/mL (range, 1201-19,400 ng/mL) for severe AP and 6314 ng/mL (range, 1980-24,340 ng/mL) for mild AP (P0.05). Maximum variation of adiponectin level (the highest value minus the lowest value) was greater in severe AP than in mild AP (P = 0.001).In patients matched by age, sex, body mass index, and etiology, the on-admission plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin do not correlate with disease severity, suggesting that the adipokines do not affect the course of AP.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is an autoinflammatory disorder characterized by periodic attacks of fever and inflammation, due to mutations in the gene coding for the TNF type I receptor (TNFRSF1A). A 16-year-old patient with the diagnosis of TRAPS was admitted to hospital because of fever and abdominal pain. Initially, the symptoms were interpreted as manifestations of another TRAPS attack, but the patient's condition worsened, despite treatment with corticosteroids and antibiotics. A repeated computer tomography revealed an intra-abdominal abscess, which necessitated urgent surgical intervention. This case stresses the importance of differential diagnostic vigilance when dealing with patients with rare genetic diseases.

Background: Although the analysis of genetic variability has traditionally been performed with molecular genetic techniques, the development of proteomic technology has raised the possibility of analyzing genetic variants at the protein level. This method provides additional information about posttranslational modifications and differences in expression. We used mass spectrometry to characterize 3 variants of the peptide encoded by the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) gene, pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI). A genetic variant of PSTI, N34S, is associated with the development of pancreatitis.Methods: We used a quadrupole/time-of-flight hybrid mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source to analyze the molecular identity of PSTI purified from the urine of 12 patients with pancreatitis and from 3 controls. We also developed a rapid small-scale capture procedure to isolate and analyze PSTI from small volumes of urine.Results: The mutations responsible for mass shifts of different PSTI variants could be verified. We observed differences in the expression of different variants as well as a novel proteolytic fragment of PSTI. Small-scale magnetic bead–mediated immunoaffinity chromatography PSTI enabled easy and rapid purification from small urine volumes, facilitating mass spectrometric analysis with adequate sensitivity.Conclusions: Pancreatitis-related PSTI variants occurring at nanomolar concentrations in urine can be detected and quantified by immunoaffinity purification and mass spectrometry. In addition, the N34S variant occurs at higher concentrations than the wild type. This finding casts new light on the possible role of PSTI as a cause of hereditary pancreatitis.

To summarize advances and new concepts in the surgical management of necrotizing pancreatitis published within the past year with emphasis on the evolving importance of the recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome as a significant contributor to early development of organ failure.Underdiagnosed and untreated, abdominal compartment syndrome is a potential contributing factor to the development of early organ failure in patients with severe acute pancreatitis and warrants routine measurement of intra-abdominal pressure in patients treated for severe pancreatitis. The current estimate of the prevalence of intra-abdominal hypertension in severe acute pancreatitis is about 40%, with about 10% overall developing abdominal compartment syndrome, associated with increased hospital mortality rates. Early surgical decompression without exploring the pancreas further seems to be the most effective treatment. Primary fascial closure of the abdominal wall following abdominal decompression can be attempted, but in most cases the prolonged inflammatory process in the abdomen and the risk of recurrent abdominal compartment syndrome favors use of gradual closure or delayed reconstruction of the abdominal wall.Recent studies confirm the overall validity of the established surgical principles for necrotizing pancreatitis: delayed necrosectomy in patients with infected peripancreatic necrosis, mostly nonoperative management of sterile necrosis, and delayed cholecystectomy in severe gallstone-associated pancreatitis. The role of abdominal compartment syndrome as an important contributing factor to early development of multiple organ failure and the potential benefit of surgical decompression are gaining support from recent reports and should be carefully assessed in future studies.

OBJECTIVES Severe acute pancreatitis (AP) is frequently associated with immune suppression, which increases the risk of infections, organ failure, and death. Our aims were to measure monocyte function (ie, HLA-DR expression and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] production as markers of immune suppression) in patients with severe AP and to determine whether treatment of blood samples with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and/or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) corrected the functional defects of monocytes in vitro. METHODS The study consisted of 28 patients with severe AP who were treated at intensive care unit and in whom the proportion of HLA-DR-positive monocytes in the circulation was less than 70%, and 28 matched control subjects who were selected from healthy laboratory personnel. HLA-DR density was determined by whole blood flow cytometry. Monocyte TNF-alpha production in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) was studied in a whole blood assay. Aliquots of blood were supplemented with IFN-gamma (all 28 patients), GM-CSF (the last 24 patients), or both (the last 12 patients). RESULTS The median proportion of HLA-DR-positive monocytes was 45% in patients (range, 18%-73%) and was 98% in controls (range, 86%-100%; P < 0.001). TNF-alpha levels in response to LPSs were lower in patients (545 pg/mL; range, 84-1990 pg/mL) than in controls (1415 pg/mL; range, 660-5490 pg/mL; P < 0.001). The proportion of HLA-DR-positive cells correlated positively with TNF-alpha levels (r = 0.56; P < 0.01). Both GM-CSF and IFN-gamma increased HLA-DR expression of monocytes in patients (98%; range, 74%-100% for GM-CSF; 99%; range, 86%-100% for IFN-gamma; both P < 0.001). The combination restored monocyte HLA-DR expression (99%; range, 96%-100%; P = 0.002). Compared with basal levels, GM-CSF increased TNF-alpha production of monocytes both in blood samples from patients (median, 1320 pg/mL; range, 35-8015 pg/mL) and controls (median, 3450 pg/mL; range, 1040-9835 pg/mL; both P < 0.001). IFN-gamma increased TNF-alpha production by monocytes in patients (683 pg/mL; range, 186-2705 pg/mL; P < 0.05) but not in controls (1658 pg/mL; range, 765-4755 pg/mL; P = 0.31). With the combination of GM-CSF and IFN-gamma, the TNF-alpha levels of monocytes in patients (3185 pg/mL; range, 545-8280 pg/mL) and in controls (2800 pg/mL; range, 1080-6860 pg/mL) were comparable. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of HLA-DR-positive monocytes correlates with TNF-alpha production, and they both reflect the degree of immune suppression. The low proportion of HLA-DR-positive monocytes in AP can be reversed in vitro by GM-CSF and/or IFN-gamma. The GM-CSF and IFN-gamma treatments also increase LPS-induced TNF-alpha production. By the combination of GM-CSF and IFN-gamma, but not by either agent alone, LPS-induced TNF-alpha production of monocytes was equally high in patients and in controls.

Acute pancreatitis is a common digestive disease of which the severity may vary from mild, edematous to severe, necrotizing disease. An improved outcome in the severe form of the disease is based on early identification of disease severity and subsequent focused management of these high-risk patients. However, the ability of clinicians to predict, upon presentation, which patient will have mild or severe acute pancreatitis is not accurate. Prospective systems using clinical criteria have been used to determine severity in patients with acute pancreatitis, such as the Ranson's prognostic signs, Glasgow score, and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score (APACHE II). Their application in clinical practise has been limited by the time delay of at least 48 h to judge all parameters in the former two and by being cumbersome and time-consuming in the latter. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography is presently the most accurate non-invasive single method to evaluate the severity of acute pancreatitis. It cannot, however, be performed to all patients with acute pancreatitis. Therefore, considerable interest has grown in the development of reliable biochemical markers that reflect the severity of acute pancreatitis. In this article we critically appraise current and new severity markers of acute pancreatitis in their ability to distinguish between mild and severe disease and their clinical utility.

Background Hydrocortisone (HC) has been reported to rapidly improve hemodynamics and reduce the time to vasopressor cessation in septic shock, but none has focused on this effect in acute pancreatitis. We therefore performed a study to assess the effects of hydrocortisone on catecholamine-dependent shock among patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Methods A retrospective, case-controlled study among 10 patients with severe acute pancreatitis and HC treatment for catecholamine-dependent shock was performed. The control group comprised 11 conventionally treated patients with the same severity of pancreatitis and circulatory shock according to the norepinephrine support required. In focus were the first 48 h from the start of HC administration in the HC group and from the reference point in the control group, respectively. The reference point for the control group was the time point at which doses of norepinephrine exceeded 0.3 microg kg(-1) min(-1). Results Patients in the HC group were weaned off norepinephrine in a significantly shorter time (61 h in HC group vs. 141 h, P = 0.016). The HC group received significantly less norepinephrine (area under curve of norepinephrine dose, P = 0.041). The reduction in norepinephrine dose was comparable at 24 h, being -0.051 (-0.208-0.022) microg kg(-1) min(-1) in the HC group vs. -0.026 (-0.150-0.030) microg kg(-1) min(-1) in the controls (P = 0.307), and at 48 h with respective figures of -0.206 (-0.317 to -0.102) microg kg(-1) min(-1) and -0.103 (-0.178-0.029) microg kg(-1) min(-1) (P = 0.072), from the start of HC administration. Conclusion According to our data it seems reasonable to formulate a hypothesis that low doses of HC shorten the time to vasopressor cessation and rapidly reduce the need for norepinephrine support in patients with shock associated with severe acute pancreatitis without sepsis.

The Drosophila mutant technical knockout (tko), affecting the mitochondrial protein synthetic apparatus, exhibits respiratory chain deficiency and a phenotype resembling various features of mitochondrial disease in humans (paralytic seizures, deafness, developmental retardation). We are using this mutant to analyse the cellular and genomic targets of mitochondrial dysfunction, and to identify ways in which the phenotype can be alleviated. Transgenic expression of wild-type tko in different patterns in the mutant background reveals critical times and cell-types for production of components of the mitochondrial disease-like phenotype. Mitochondrial bioenergy deficit during the period of maximal growth, as well as in specific parts of the nervous system, appears to be most deleterious. Inbreeding of tko mutant lines results in a systematic improvement in all phenotypic parameters tested. The resulting sub-lines can be used for genetic mapping and transcriptomic analysis, revealing clues as to the genes and pathways that can modify mitochondrial disease-like phenotypes in a model metazoan.

BackgroundTrypsinogen activation peptide (TAP) may be an early marker of severe pancreatitis. Previous studies have included all patients with organ failure in the group with severe pancreatitis, although patients with transient organ failure may have a good prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine the value of urinary TAP estimation for prediction of severity of acute pancreatitis, and to validate use of several markers of prediction of severity against a new, stringent definition of severity.MethodsPatients with acute pancreatitis were recruited within 24 h of onset of symptoms. Urine and blood samples were collected for 24 h, and Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II (24 h), Ranson (48 h) and Glasgow (48 h) scores were calculated. Severe acute pancreatitis was defined by the presence of a local complication or the presence of organ failure for more than 48 h.ResultsUrinary TAP levels were significantly greater in patients with severe pancreatitis than in those with mild disease during the first 36 h of admission. The highest of three estimations of TAP in the first 24 h was as effective as APACHE II at 24 h in predicting severity. At 24 h after admission, urinary TAP was better than C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting severity. The combination of TAP and CRP at 24 h allowed identification of high- and low-risk groups. The new definition of severity excluded 24 of 190 patients with transient organ failure; none of these patients died.ConclusionUse of TAP improved early prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis. Organ failure that resolves within 48 h does not signify a severe attack of acute pancreatitis.

Immune suppression plays a role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. The purpose was to describe plasma anti-inflammatory cytokines and blood monocyte human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression, a cellular marker of immune suppression, in relation to clinical outcome in acute pancreatitis.We studied 74 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted within 72 h after symptom onset; 27 had mild disease and 47 severe disease, of whom 20 developed organ failure. Plasma cytokine concentrations and monocyte HLA-DR density were determined at admission and 1, 2, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days later.The levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 correlated inversely to monocyte HLA-DR expression; each marker correlated with disease severity. Interleukin-4, -11 and -13 levels were low. Organ failure occurred at median 36 h (range 8 to 158) after admission and was predicted at admission by the combination of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 with sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 88% and positive likelihood ratio of 7.6 (95% confidence interval 3.3 to 17). Patients with secondary infections had a lower proportion of HLA-DR positive monocytes than did controls at day 14 (median: 32% versus 65%; n = 7) and at day 21 (median: 49% versus 83%; n = 6), P0.05 each. In the organ failure group, HLA-DR expression did not differ between survivors and non-survivors.Determining the severity of anti-inflammatory reaction at admission and monitoring the course of immune suppression provide a means for predicting clinical outcome in acute pancreatitis.

Although jejunal diverticulosis is a rare entity and usually asymptomatic, it may cause chronic symptoms and acute complications. Because of the rarity of the entity, diagnosis is often delayed, resulting in unnecessary morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to draw attention to jejunal diverticula and their complications. The medical records of 8 consecutive patients with complications due to small-bowel diverticula treated at our department during the past 4 years were reviewed. All diverticula were located in the jejunum. Seven patients had acute complications, 3 patients had an intra-abdominal abscess, 2 had free perforation with diffuse peritonitis, 1 had a bowel occlusion and 1 patient had concomitant bleeding and occlusion. One patient presented with chronic symptoms. A preoperative diagnosis of jejunal diverticula, before explorative laparotomy, was not reached in any of the 7 patients with acute symptoms. In the patient with chronic symptoms, multiple jejunal diverticula complicated by a jejuno-colic fistula and foreign body were found at laparotomy. On patient died of multiorgan failure. Small-bowel diverticulosis is a rare entity, but it should not be regarded as a clinically insignificant finding. It may be difficult to make a preoperative diagnosis. Patients with incidentally detected proximal jejunal diverticula, at imaging studies or at laparotomy, warrant close observation and awareness that the diverticula may cause serious complications.

Immune suppression plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Monocyte expression of HLA (human leucocyte antigen)-DR, a cellular marker of immune suppression, was determined in relation to the development of organ dysfunction in patients with acute pancreatitis. A total of 310 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis, admitted to a university hospital within 72 h of pain onset, were studied; 194 (63%) had mild disease (group I), 87 (28%) had severe disease without organ dysfunction (group II), and 29 (9%) had severe disease with organ dysfunction (group III). HLA-DR expression, defined both as the proportion of monocytes that were HLA-DR-positive and as monocyte HLA-DR fluorescence intensity, was determined at admission, using whole-blood flow cytometry. Of the patients in group III, 13 (45%) developed organ dysfunction within 24 h of admission. The proportion of HLA-DR-positive monocytes and monocyte HLA-DR density were both related to the severity of pancreatitis (P

Mast cell tryptase, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) possibly play a role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim is to describe their serum levels in relation to severity of AP.Seventy patients with AP were studied. Thirty-one had mild acute pancreatitis and 39 severe AP of whom 21 developed organ dysfunction. Serum concentration of tryptase was determined with fluoroimmunoassay (UniCAP), and VEGF and bFGF with ELISA at admission and on days 1, 2, and 7 post-hospitalization.The peak tryptase levels and tryptase levels at 2nd day after symptom onset, although mostly within normal range, were significantly higher in patients with organ dysfunction than in patients without organ dysfunction (6.6 microg/l (inter quartile range 4.8 to 12.6) versus 4.0 microg/l (2.7 to 6.2); P = 0.018 and 6.0 microg/l (4.4 to 7.6) versus 3.4 microg/l (2.3 to 4.8); P = 0.006, respectively). Median serum VEGF and bFGF concentrations increased during follow-up, were significantly higher on day 7 than on days 0, 1, and 2, but were not related to development of organ dysfunction.Mast cell activation, as defined by serum tryptase levels, may play a role in the development of remote organ dysfunction in patients with AP. However, neither tryptase nor the factors VEGF and bFGF serve as predictors of organ dysfunction in clinical AP.

To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and postdischarge outcome after severe acute pancreatitis. Observational study in a department of surgery (surgical and general intensive care unit) in a tertiary care hospital. Of 283 patients with severe acute pancreatitis 211 survived; during a follow-up period an additional 27 died. The Rand 36-item Health Survey with accessory question was mailed to 174 eligible patients. The final study population comprised 145 patients (83% response rate). Age- and sex-matched Finnish population scores were compared with the study population; accessory questions were analyzed separately. No clinically significant differences were found in long-term HRQL between study patients and the general population. Of the 145 patients 87% returned to work, 27% suffered recurrent pancreatitis, and 43% developed diabetes. Of 113 patients with alcohol-induced severe acute pancreatitis 30% were abstinent and 28% problem drinkers, alcohol-dependent, or alcoholics. Up to 13% of severe acute pancreatitis patients surviving initial hospitalization die within a few years. Among the survivors long-term HRQL is comparable to that of the normal population. The majority return to work and reduce their alcohol consumption markedly.

Background/Aims: Survival in acute pancreatitis and particularly in severe acute and necrotizing pancreatitis is a combination of therapy-associated and patient-related factors. There are only few relevant methods for predicting fatal outcome in acute pancreatitis. Scores such as Ranson, Imrie, Blamey, and APACHE II are practical in assessing the severity of the disease, but are not sufficiently validated for predicting fatal outcome among patients with severe acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to construct a novel prediction model for predicting fatal outcome in the early phase of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and to compare this model with previously reported predictive systems. Methods: Hospital records of 253 patients with SAP were retrospectively analyzed. 234 patients with adequate data were included to the test set to construct five logistic regression and three artificial neural network (ANN) models. Two models were tested in an independent prospective validation set of 60 consecutive patients with SAP and compared with previously reported predictive systems. Results: The prediction model considered optimal was a logistic model with four variables: age, highest serum creatinine value within 60–72 h from primary admission, need for mechanical ventilation, and chronic health status. In the validation set, the predictive accuracy, determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value, was 0.862 for the chosen model, 0.847 for the ANN model using eight variables, 0.817 for APACHE II, 0.781 for multiple organ dysfunction score, 0.655 for Ranson, and 0.536 for Imrie scores. Conclusions: Ranson and Imrie scores are inaccurate indicators of the mortality in SAP. A novel predictive model based on four variables can reach at least the same predictive performance as the APACHE II system with 14 variables.

To compare three different multiple organ dysfunction scores in predicting hospital mortality rates and to discover which one best assesses organ dysfunction/failure in patients with severe acute pancreatitis in a general intensive care unit.Retrospective, observational study.Surgical department and a ten-bed general intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital.Among the 178 consecutive patients admitted to the surgical department with severe acute pancreatitis from 1994 to 1998, 113 patients treated in the general intensive care unit underwent study.None.Clinical and laboratory data were collected during a period of 35 days. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Multiple Organ Dysfunction (MOD) score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and Logistic Organ Dysfunction (LOD) score were calculated and compared regarding hospital mortality rate. In addition, daily maximum score and a total maximum score (sum of the highest values for each organ dysfunction) were calculated for all three scores. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used as a measure of accuracy of the scores. The highest accuracy was revealed with daily maximum scores with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.847 for SOFA, 0.844 for MOD, and 0.836 for LOD. According to the maximum SOFA score, the highest mortality rate was associated with liver (83%, p.001) and renal (63%, p.001) failures. The mortality ratio with two organ failures ranged from 50% to 91%. The highest mortality rate (91%) was for a combination of hepatic and renal failure. In multiple logistic regression analysis, only hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular failure and previous cardiovascular medication were independent risk factors for hospital mortality.In patients with severe acute pancreatitis, organ dysfunction scores (MOD, SOFA, LOD) show good accuracy, comparable with APACHE II in predicting hospital mortality. The maximum daily organ dysfunction scores were simple and useful in assessing multiple organ dysfunction and in predicting hospital mortality rates of patients with severe acute pancreatitis.