The interest in pyelonephritis and its consequences is increasing rapidly in Japan in recent years. I am very honored to have this opportunity to discuss this timely subject-pyelonephritis- and to present some of our clinical and experimental data.
It is well known that pancreatic impairments affect digestion and absorption through exocrine function, and also affect metabolism of lipids through endocrine function. However, there have been reports which point out the difficulty in explaining fatty liver and abnormality in plasma lipids during pancreatic impairments by only reduced enzymes and insulin. Some observers suggest a possible existence in the pancreas of a factor which controls lipid metabolism. The present study is to find out the factors which primarily affect lipid metabolism during pancreatic impairments, by analysing changes in plasma lipids and the metabolic rate of absorption and removal of administered fat in patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis.