Surgical decompression of Wirsung duct reduces serum concentration of SPINK1 in patients with chronic pancreatitis

Objectives The primary aim of this study was to determine the blood levels of SPINK1 in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) submitted to surgical or endoscopic decompression of pancreatic duct (PD). Additionally, we measured trypsin activity levels. Methods Two groups were identified, surgical (group A) and endoscopic (group B). Levels of SPINK1 and trypsin activity were measured at baseline and 6 months after pancreatic duct decompression and then compared within the groups. SPINK1 levels were determined with Human ELISA Kit. Results Group A and B were made up of 30 and 28 patients, respectively. Baseline features of the groups were similar. A decrease in SPINK1 levels was significant only in group A 46.88 to 16.10 ng/mL (p = 0.001). On the contrary, trypsin activity changed significantly in group B 40.01 to 34.92 mU/mL (p = 0.01). Patients of group A showed a significant increase in BMI, before and after treatment. The pain score pre- and post-treatment reduced significantly in both groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions We demonstrate for the first time a significant decrease of SPINK1 levels after surgical decompression of PD and a reduction of trypsin activity analysis after endoscopic decompression. The meaning of this phenomena is yet to be explained and it should be further explored.