Serum Gc-globulin levels are reduced in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

Background and aim To investigate the role of group-specific component globulin (Gc-globulin) in the early process of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Patients and methods A total of 37 patients with SAP and 31 patients with mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) were enrolled in the study. Twenty healthy individuals served as controls. Blood samples were taken from SAP and MAP patients on the day of admission (day 1), day 7, and day 14. Serum total Gc-globulin levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results On admission, the total Gc-globulin levels of patients in the SAP group were 368 (270-455) mg/l (expressed as medians with interquartile range), which were significantly lower (P = 0.007) compared with the control group [420 (299-585) mg/l]. In the SAP group, a significant decrease in serum total Gc-globulin was observed in patients who developed organ dysfunction [267 (242-306) mg/l] compared with patients who did not [414 (329-513) mg/l, P < 0.001]. Patients with lower Gc-globulin levels were at a higher risk of developing organ dysfunction (P = 0.005). Furthermore, serial measurements displayed increasing total Gc-globulin levels in survivors. Conclusion Decreased total Gc-globulin was linked to poor outcomes of SAP. These data support our hypothesis that Gc-globulin may play an important role in the early process of acute pancreatitis. Gc-globulin might be a novel target for prognosis and therapy of SAP. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 24:501-505 (C) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.