Sulfur-containing amino acids and oxidative stress in chronic pancreatitis patients

Background: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients are at high risk of malnutrition due to malabsorption. Sulfur amino acids (SAAs) being important antioxidant could affect pancreatic function. In this study, we have analyzed blood SAAs and its relation to antioxidant levels. Methods: One hundred and seventy-five CP patients and 113 healthy normal controls were prospectively studied. Disease characteristics and imaging features were recorded. Plasma SAAs were estimated using high-performance liquid chromatography. Erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH), GSH peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, plasma Vitamin C, erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), urinary inorganic sulfate, and creatinine were estimated by spectrophotometry. Results: Plasma SAAs, urinary inorganic sulfate/creatinine ratio, and blood antioxidant levels were lower, whereas TBARS was higher in CP patients as compared to controls. Plasma methionine and TBARS were inversely correlated, whereas plasma cysteine and GSH level were directly correlated. Plasma cysteine and Vitamin C levels were lower, whereas TBARS was higher in CP patients with atrophy as compared to patients without atrophy. No statistical difference in these parameters between diabetic and nondiabetic CP patients was observed. Conclusion: Deficiency of SAAs appears to be associated with oxidative stress in CP patients. Possible benefit of supplementation of SAAs needs to be elucidated.