[Clinical significance for monitoring of serum ghrelin in acute pancreatitis severity assessment].

Objective: To explore the value of altered serum level of Ghrelin for severity assessment in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 47 AP patients at admission, 48 hours post-admission and at discharge. According to the criteria of APACHEII score ≥ 8, RANSON ≥ 3, CT ≥ 4, they were divided into mild (n = 17) and severe (n = 30) groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the serum level of Ghrelin. And correlation analysis was made with the score of APACHEII and the level of C reactive protein (CRP). Also the serum level of Ghrelin was analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results: The serum levels of Ghrelin after 24 h were 358.6 ± 119.3 vs 212.1 ± 42.7 ng/L (P < 0.001); after 48 hours, 253.1 ± 71.2 vs 275.5 ± 73.6 ng/L (P = 0.572); at discharge, 327.8 ± 103.8 vs 319.4 ± 87.1 ng/L respectively (P = 0.816). And serum level of Ghrelin was positively correlated with APACHEII and CRP. ROC area under curve was 0.841 ± 0.057 and 95% confidence interval 0.729-0.952 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The serum level of Ghrelin during early-stage AP has significant differences between two groups. And it may become an early predictor of pancreatic necrosis and a degree marker of clinical severity.