Changes in polymorphonuclear neutrophil-elastase in pancreatitis.

In cases of acute and chronic pancreatitis, we measured the amount of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN)-elastase. There was a significantly larger increase in PMN-elastase in patients with pancreatitis than normal adults. Especially, there was a particularly notable increase in amount of PMN-elastase in patients with severe pancreatitis. Furthermore, the peak of PMN-elastase increase throughout the course of the pancreatitis was seen to be 1-2 days after peak increase in pancreatic enzymes. In the experiment in which pancreatic juice and pig pancreatic kallikrein were added to granulocytes in vitro, we recognized a gradual release of PMN-elastase. From these data, we suggested that timely measurements of PMN-elastase are useful to marker of monitoring clinical changes in severe pancreatitis.