Evaluation of pancreatic lipase and gamma-glutamyl transferase in acute pancreatitis

Background and objective: Pancreas is a large organ behind the stomach that produces digestive enzymes and a number of hormones. Pancreatitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the pancreas. When the digestive enzymes are activated before they are released into the small intestine, they begin attacking the pancreas, and pancreatic damage happens. This study aimed to evaluate the association between pancreatic lipase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and acute pancreatitis in patients living in Erbil city. Methods: The present study was carried out at the College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University from December 2017 to July 2018. A total of 35 patients with acute pancreatitis and 25 healthy controls were investigated. Examinations of serum pancreatic lipase and gamma glutamyl transferase were carried out spectrophotometrically for both groups using commercial diagnostics kits. Results: The results showed that the mean level of serum pancreatic lipase in patients with pancreatitis was significantly higher (P <0.01)compared to normal healthy control. The mean serum gamma glutamyl transferase was higher in patients with acute pancreatitis when compared to the reference group but not statistically significant. Conclusion: In the frame of this work, we delineate that pancreatic diseases had a significant effect on pancreatic enzymes reflected by a significant increase in serum lipase, whereas the level of gamma glutamyl transferase increased marginally. Keywords: Pancreatitis; Pancreatic lipoprotein lipase; Gamma glutamyl transferase.