Abstract:Objective To study the early prediction of infection in acute pancreatitis in rats by plasma procalcitonin (PCT) and c-reactive (CRP) detection.
Methods Eighty SD rats were randomly assigned into acute infected pancreatitis group (I, n=20), pancreatitis control group (C, n=40) and sham-operated group (S, n=20). Blood samples were collected pre- (0h) and post-operatively (12h, 24h and 48h). Plasma CRP was analyzed by ELISA. Plasma and liver PCT was detected by Western blot.
Results (1). Ascitic infection occurred in all the group B rats and 16 of 40 rats of group C (analyzed as group C1), and did not occur in the other 20 of 40 rats of group C (analyzed as group C2) and group S. (2). The plasma CRP concentrations elevated gradually after the model setup in group B and C1, which were significantly higher at 48h than those in group C2 and group S. (3). PCT was detected in high levels in plasma and liver tissues in group B and C1 at 48h post-operatively, and they were sighificantly higher than those in group C2 and group S.
Conclusions PCT can predict early infection of acute pancreatitis, and detection of PCT combined with plasma CRP may help in the differentiation of acute infected pancreatitis. The liver may be an important organ for synthesis of PCT.