IS FATAL PANCREATITIS A CONSEQUENCE OF EXCESSIVE LEUKOCYTE STIMULATION - THE ROLE OF TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA

This study examines the possible role of excessive leukocyte stimulation in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. Levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and elastase-α1 proteinase inhibitor (E-α1PI) have been measured as markers of macrophage and neutrophil activation, respectively, in serial plasma samples from 27 patients with acute pancreatitis. Levels of TNF-α did not support the possibility of excessive macrophage activation, but raised levels of E-α1PI in patients with either the mild or severe form of the illness indicated the activation of neutrophils. Whether this is a consequence of the illness or is a contributory factor in the pathogenesis is not clear. © 1991.