Human Sample Collection

During the period from March 2017 to December 2018, a total of 72 patients with acute pancreatitis (50 males and 22 females; age: 30–72 years; mean age: 48.3 years) were included in the study. The diagnostic criterion of AP diagnosis is to meet the two of the following conditions: (1) acute, persistent, severe and unbearable upper abdominal pain, often radiated to the back; (2) serum amylase and/or lipase activity is three times or more higher than the normal upper limit; (3) enhanced CT/MRI or abdominal ultrasound showed AP imaging changes.

The diagnostic criteria of MAP diagnosis are to meet the above AP diagnosis and one of the following conditions: (1) no organ dysfunction, no complications, Ranson score <3 points; (2) acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score <8 points; (3) bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score <3 points; (4) improved CT is severe. The modified CT severity index (MCTSI) score was <4 points.

The diagnostic criteria of SAP diagnosis are to meet the above AP diagnosis and one of the following conditions: (1) Ranson score ≥3 points; (2) APACHE II score ≥8 points; (3) BISAP score ≥3 points; (4) MCTSI score ≥4 points; (5) organ dysfunction (duration <48 h); (6) complications requires intervention during the recovery period.

Volunteers who passed the physical examination at the physical examination center of our hospital were included in this study. The criteria are as follows: blood routine, lipase, amylase, myocardial enzyme, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, blood sugar, infectious diseases, thyroid function, and abdominal color Doppler ultrasound were not abnormal and no abdominal pain symptoms.

Exclusion Criteria: patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic pancreatitis, hepatitis, and malignant tumors would be excluded from the study. Blood samples were obtained from SAP patients, MAP patients, and healthy people. The study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, and all participants signed informed consent forms.