PANCREATITIS Flashcards
What is the daily volume and pH of pancreatic fluid secretion?
“The pancreas secretes 1500-3000 ml of isosmotic alkaline fluid (pH >8) daily.”
What is the role of bicarbonate secreted by the pancreas?
“Bicarbonate neutralizes gastric acid
What triggers the release of secretin and what does it stimulate?
“Gastric acid triggers secretin release from duodenal mucosa (S cells)
What triggers the release of cholecystokinin (CCK)?
“Diets containing long-chain fatty acids
What are the primary stimulatory neurotransmitters for pancreatic secretion?
“Acetylcholine and gastric-releasing peptide stimulate pancreatic secretion during the cephalic phase.”
Which neuropeptides inhibit pancreatic secretion?
“Somatostatin
How is autodigestion of the pancreas prevented?
“Autodigestion is prevented by packaging proteases as proenzymes
What are the major enzymes secreted by the pancreas?
“Amylolytic (amylase)
How are pancreatic proteolytic enzymes activated?
“Proteolytic enzymes are secreted as inactive zymogens and activated by enterokinase in the duodenal mucosa.”
What is the function of enterokinase?
“Enterokinase cleaves the lysine-isoleucine bond of trypsinogen to form trypsin
What is the role of bicarbonate in feedback inhibition of pancreatic secretion?
“Bicarbonate neutralizes acidic chyme
What are the common causes of acute pancreatitis?
“Gallstones
What are the risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis?
“Risk factors include minor papilla sphincterotomy
What triglyceride level is associated with acute pancreatitis?
“Triglyceride levels >1000 mg/dl are associated with acute pancreatitis.”
What is the appearance of blood in hypertriglyceridemia?
“Blood appears milky or like mayonnaise due to excessive triglycerides.”
What is SPINK1 and its role in acute pancreatitis?
“SPINK1 is a protective protease inhibitor that binds and inactivates trypsin to prevent autodigestion of the pancreas.”
What are the two types of pancreatitis based on severity?
Interstitial Pancreatitis and Necrotizing Pancreatitis
What characterizes interstitial pancreatitis?
Mild form, resolves in a week, and blood supply is not interrupted.
What characterizes necrotizing pancreatitis?
Interrupted blood supply to the pancreas.
What is the accepted pathogenic theory of acute pancreatitis?
Autodigestion.
What factors facilitate premature activation of trypsin?
Endotoxins, exotoxins, viral infections, ischemia, oxidative stress, lysosomal calcium, and direct trauma.
What happens during the initial phase of acute pancreatitis pathogenesis?
Intrapancreatic digestive enzyme activation, acinar cell injury, and trypsin activation.
What happens during the second phase of acute pancreatitis pathogenesis?
Chemoattraction and sequestration of leukocytes and macrophages, enhancing intrapancreatic inflammation.
What happens during the third phase of acute pancreatitis pathogenesis?
Proteolysis, edema, interstitial hemorrhage, systemic inflammation, and potential organ failure.
What genetic mutation is sufficient to cause acute pancreatitis without risk factors?
Cationic trypsinogen gene (PRSS1).
What does a mutation in the PRSS1 gene lead to?
Unregulated trypsin activation in acinar cells, predisposing to acute pancreatitis.
What are the major symptoms of acute pancreatitis?
Steady epigastric pain radiating to back, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension.
Why does abdominal pain decrease when leaning forward in acute pancreatitis?
The pancreas is a retroperitoneal organ, and this position reduces tension.