BACKGROUND: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been implicated in promoting tissue damage in various inflammatory diseases. However, MPO blood levels in relation to the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) and its time-course have not been studied. The present study aimed to determine the role of MPO in AP.
METHODS: We studied 86 patients with AP (48 patients with mild and 38 with severe pancreatitis) and 18 controls (volunteers). The relations of serum MPO levels to cytokine level, severity, and time-course of pancreatitis were studied. The serum level of MPO and cytokines were measured by MPO-EIA and cytokines ELISA, respectively.
RESULTS: The highest level of MPO was noted at the first day in patients with severe AP. A decrease of MPO blood level occurred during the first three days in all patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. The development of pancreatitis-associated lung injury and purulent complications was accompanied by increased MPO levels. Administration of pentoxifylline significantly reduced the MPO blood level, which was clearly correlated with the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the two groups of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed the MPO blood level is dependent on the severity of AP and on cytokine blood levels. Pentoxifylline in the complex management of severe AP may improve the results of treatment.