Role of plasma LPL and GPIHBP1 in patients with pancreatitis

Plasma LPL and GPIHBP1 levels and other lipid metabolic factors in patients with pancreatitis with blood triglycerides in the normal range were measured over time. The subjects included patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) (n=57) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) (n=30), and 20 healthy controls. Plasma LPL and GPIHBP1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, apo protein by immunoturbidimetric assay, and other lipids by routine methods. Disease status was based on the APACHE-II score at the time of blood sampling. AP cases showed a significant decrease in LPL and GPIHBP1 compared to controls, whereas CP cases showed a non-significant decrease. ApoC2 II and III levels in patients with pancreatitis were lower than those in controls. LPL and GPIHBP1 levels were significantly positively correlated with each other, and both showed a significant negative correlation with the APACHE-II score. LPL and GPIHBP1 levels in pancreatitis survivors and non-survivors showed a trend towards a decrease with worsening disease and an increase with recovery. Serum triglyceride levels showed a non-significant negative correlation with LPL and GPIHBP1 levels. These results suggest that pancreatitis is related to abnormal lipid metabolism, mainly through a decrease in LPL in the course of the disease.