Pancreas
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Multiple organ failure because of systemic inflammatory response in the early phase and sepsis in the late phase is the main contributor to high mortality in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). High-mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) was recently identified as a potent proinflammatory mediator and increases in various pathological conditions such as sepsis. The aim of this study was to investigate contributions of HMGB1 in SAP. ⋯ Serum HMGB1 levels were significantly increased in patients with SAP and were correlated with disease severity. These results suggest that HMGB1 may act as a key mediator for inflammation and organ failure in SAP.