Fractalkine as a marker for assessment of severe acute pancreatitis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study the role of fractalkine (FKN) in the development of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in animal model. METHODS: Serum FKN levels in rat model (control, SAP6 h, 16 h, 24 h and 48 h) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. FKN mRNA and protein levels in the pancreas tissue were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Serum FKN level in the SAP rat increased significantly (P < 0.05 compared with the control group). FKN mRNA and protein levels in pancreas and lung increased significantly and reached the peak at 16 h after the induction of SAP, while those in kidney reached the peak at 48 h. Immunohistochemistry showed the overexpression of FKN in pancreas, lung and kidney tissue. CONCLUSION: FKN involves in the progression of SAP and might be a valuable marker for the assessment of SAP.