Background: Intestinal permeability increases early in the course of acute pancreatitis and is associated with sepsis and organ failure.
Aim: To evaluate the intestinal permeability (IP) and anti-endotoxin antibodies immunoglobulin G and A (AEA IgG and A) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) as compared to healthy controls and determine their significance in relation to various complications of SAP.
Methods: IP was measured by urinary lactulose/mannitol (LM) excretion ratio and antiendotoxin antibodies by Endocab ELISA kit at days one and seven of admission (D1 and D7).
Results: Thirty one patients of SAP [mean age (42.0±15.8) years, APACHE II scores (8.8±5.4) and CT severity index (6.4±2.0)] were included in this study. Infected pancreatic necrosis was detected in 13 (42%) patients of whom three died. Six died of persistent organ failure. Median values of LM ratio at D1 and D7 were similar to those in healthy controls. Patients experiencing complications [organ failure (4/9, 44%), infected pancreatic necrosis (5/10, 50%) and death (1/ 2, 50%)] manifested a substantial increase in their intestinal permeability at D7. Anti-endotoxin antibodies IgG were lower (p=0.003) in patients than the controls at admission. AEA IgG were lower (p=0.03) in non-survivors as compared to survivors at D7.
Conclusion: Patients experiencing complications of severe acute pancreatitis showed an increase in intestinal permeability. Higher endotoxemia predicted poor outcome in severe acute pancreatitis.