Nerve Growth Factor in Chronic Pancreatitis

Virginia Commonwealth University38 enrolled

Overview

This study is to understand the role of nerve growth factor(NGF) and other cytokines in the pancreatic fluid of patients with chronic pancreatitis. Hypothesis: 1. Pain does not correlate with changes in the PD morphology suggesting that pain in CP is not only a mechanical problem 2. Pain in CP correlates better with the levels of NGF in the pancreatic juice. NGF is variably expressed in different morphological stages of CP and regulates the sensitivity of the peptidergic nociceptors and is upregulated in pancreatic inflammation.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Chronic Pancreatitis

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with established CP and none of the exclusion criteria mention below. Exclusion Criteria: * Failure to obtain consent. * Any comorbid condition with expected survival \< 1 year. * Patients with pacemaker, implanted metallic prosthesis or other contraindications to do MRCP. * Patients \< 18 years of age at time of consent

Locations (1)

Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

The levels of NGF in subjects with different morphological stages of chronic pancreatitis (CP) will be compared to the controls and in each morphological stage of CP will be correlated with pain scores.

Time frame: 5 years

Secondary Outcomes

Correlate the expression of NGF and other inflammatory cytokines in the pancreatic juice in each morphological stage of CP.

Time frame: 5 years

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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