Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Acute pancreatitis has traditionally been defined as an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas that (1) is associated with abdominal pain and elevations in serum levels of pancreatic enzymes and, (2) disrupts normal pancreatic architecture and function.
AIM OF THE STUDY:
To assess the serum level of zinc and copper in patients with acute pancreatitis.
METHOD:
A study conducted in Gastrointestinal Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, from first May 2005 to first March 2006, twelve patients were eligible in this study, and they were 4 females & 8 males. Zinc & Copper were measured for every patient by Perkin-Elmer (USA) atomic absorption spectrophotometer model 305B fitted with nitrous oxide acetylene burner head.
RESULTS:
Zinc & Copper concentrations were significantly decreased (p <0.001 and p<0.0001 respectively) in the serum of acute pancreatitc patients.
CONCLUSION:
These findings of Zinc & Copper levels suggest that altered minerals metabolism in serum may have contributed to the pathophysiology of acute pancreaitits