| [ Summary ] |
To clarify the mechanism of severe acute pancreatitis, we need to understand two aspects, i e., the amount of pancreatic enzyme activation and host-responsiveness in relation to inflammation. In the autodigestive processes, active pancreatic enzymes produce various kinds of bioactive substances, including cytokines, which may cause the progression of SIRS as well as shock and multiple organ failure as early phase complications. These processes induce simultaneously qualitative and quantitative changes in host immune functions, which may lead to the development of serious infections such as sepsis, which is a late phase complication. Cytokines work as an important mediator in these systemic responses with severe acute pancreatitis. |