Gastroenterology
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Comparative Study
A proinflammatory, antiapoptotic phenotype underlies the susceptibility to acute pancreatitis in cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (-/-) mice.
Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene mutations are associated with pancreatic insufficiency and pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis, including cystic fibrosis-related disease, may exist as a continuum between acute and chronic disease and may manifest as recurrent pain. We hypothesized that cftr(m1UNC) (-/-) mice, which have no evidence of chronic pancreatitis, are susceptible to developing acute pancreatitis. ⋯ A baseline proinflammatory state and an antiapoptotic phenotype may sensitize cftr (-/-) mice to developing more severe acute pancreatitis with an exuberant pancreatic inflammatory response. Cftr (-/-) mice have mild pancreatic insufficiency, which partially explains the blunted increase of pancreatic and serum digestive enzymes during acute pancreatitis. These findings may explain the susceptibility to acute pancreatitis in persons with classic and nonclassic cystic fibrosis.
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Comment Letter Comparative Study
Prostate radiotherapy is associated with second cancers in many organs, not just the colorectum.