Studies on Serum Trypsin Inhibitor and Trypsin Binding Protein in Pancreatic Diseases

Abstract

The serum total trypsin inhibitor, stable trypsin inhibitor and trypsin binding protein were determined in 58 normal subjects, 4 cases of acute pancreatitis, 27 cases of chronic pancreatitis, 6 cases of pancreatic carcinoma and 88 cases of other diseases and the clinical significance in pancreatic diseases were examined. The TTI does not originate only in the trypsin departure phenomenon in the pancreas but rises with tissue destruction and inflammatory processes. TTI rises markedly soon after onset of acute pancreatitis and gradually declines with the subsidence of the acute attack. In chronic pancreatitis, a level close to normal is maintained but in cases with pronounced decline in exocrine function, a trend for low levels is observed. The TTI is higher in the exacrebation then remission states of chronic pancreatitis. TBP was low in proportion to the severity of the symptoms in all the cases of acute pancreatitis. Low levels, however, were not found in chronic pancreatitis and other nonpancreatic diseases and the low level was specific for acute inflammatory changes in the pancreas.