Abstract
After reexamining the validity of our EIA method for human pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI), we measured PSTI levels in sera of patients with various diseases. Patients with acute pancreatitis or chronic disease during recrudescence showed an elevated PSTI level in their blood circulation, whereas patients with chronic pancreatitis during remission showed values within the normal range. Alpha-amylase activity in serum, one of the important markers used in the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases, was not meaningfully correlated with PSTI level. Patients suffering from various tumors also showed an elevated level of serum PSTI. A curative resection of the pancreas decreased the serum PSTI level of the patient to below one half of the pre-operation value, indicating that PSTI in the circulation originated mostly from the pancreas. However, patients having had other tissues resected showed a transient elevation of PSTI levels in their sera. From these results, PSTI in the circulation would appear to be one of the acute-phase reactants delivered from unclarified tissue(s) and/or organ(s).
