Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a multifactorial disease of the pancreas characterized by autoenzymatic necrosis and endogenous infection, resulting in pancreatic edema and pancreonecrosis. Oxidative stress is one of the key mechanisms driving cellular injury and plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic tissue damage.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the pro-oxidant status by measuring the levels of endogenous malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugates (DC), as well as the antioxidant status through the evaluation of the glutathione system in erythrocytes of patients with acute pancreatitis of varying severity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study included 40 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. The cohort was divided into three groups: 10 patients (33.3%) with mild AP, 10 patients (33.3%) with moderate AP, and 10 patients (33.3%) with severe AP. A control group of 10 healthy individuals was also included. The levels of DC, MDA, reduced glutathione, and the activity of glutathione-dependent enzymes were measured in all patients upon admission before treatment initiation.

RESULTS

In patients with acute pancreatitis, regardless of disease severity, there was a statistically significant increase in both primary and secondary lipid peroxidation products in erythrocytes. This was accompanied by a decrease in reduced glutathione levels and glutathione-S-transferase activity, despite elevated glutathione peroxidase activity.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study indicate the presence of oxidative stress in patients with acute pancreatitis, demonstrating a disruption in the balance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems. This imbalance was most pronounced in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.