Abstract
Objective: To clarify the clinical significance of ultrasonographically diagnosed bright pancreas, its relationships with components of metabolic syndrome, serum amylase levels, serum elastase I levels, and endocrine function were examined in apparently healthy subjects who underwent health check-ups.
Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from subjects aged 28 to 78 years between April 2010 and March 2011(183 men and 80 women). Exclusion criteria were receiving glucose-lowering drugs and history of pancreatitis. Bright pancreas was defined by positive hepato-pancreatic contrast and blurring of pancreatic outline in an ultrasonographic examination. Pancreatic endocrine function was assessed by homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β). Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).
Results: Waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, HOMA-IR and fasting plasma glucose were significantly higher (p<0.001), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was lower (p<0.001) in subjects with bright pancreas, suggesting a relationship between it and metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, serum amylase (p<0.001) and elastase Ⅰlevels were lower (p<0.05), and HOMA-β was higher (p<0.05) in subjects with bright pancreas than those without it.
Conclusion: Bright pancreas was associated with the components of metabolic syndrome as well as with serum amylase levels, elastase I levels and pancreatic endocrine-function.
