Antioxidant therapy for patients with chronic pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Progress in treatment of chronic pancreatitis: A review based on the ClinicalTrials.gov database

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a chronic progressive fibro-inflammatory disease of the pancreas caused by various etiologies, characterized by recurrent upper abdominal pain and pancreatic exocrine dysfunction. ClinicalTrials.gov is the most commonly used clinical trial database, including information of clinical trials which have been completed or are ongoing, or upcoming. Based on the ClinicalTrials.gov database, we retrieved all clinical studies registered before June 30, 2024, screened out recent clinical studies related to CP, and summarized and integrated highlights and directions of these studies from the perspectives of nutritional support, medication, endoscopy, etc., aiming to provide new ideas for the design of CP clinical studies in the future.

Pain management in chronic pancreatitis

Pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) is difficult to manage. Many patients suffer from inadequate pain relief, completely incapacitating them in their daily activities. Historically, despite their well-known adverse effects, opioids have been the pillar of treatment regimens in painful CP. The management is now gradually evolving with a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of CP-related pain. Clinicians should follow a holistic approach to the management of CP-associated pain, which must involve lifestyle changes that are coupled with analgesic medications and other pain-relieving interventions. Furthermore, there is no easy cure for vanquishing CP-associated pain. Each patient must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a multidisciplinary team to decide which treatment option is best suited for that individual.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Antioxidant Therapy in Enhancing the Quality of Life of Chronic Pancreatitis Patients: A Systematic Review

Chronic pancreatitis (CP), an inflammatory disease characterized by irreversible pancreatic changes and progressive fibrosis, significantly impairs patients' quality of life. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of antioxidant therapy in enhancing the quality of life of CP patients. Focusing on the role of oxidative stress in CP pathogenesis, we explored several databases for studies evaluating the impact of antioxidant supplementation. The review included randomized controlled trials and cohort studies reporting pain frequency, intensity, and overall quality of life measures. Findings from these studies present a mixed view of the efficacy of antioxidants in CP, with some suggesting benefits in symptom management, while others show inconsistency in improving patient outcomes. The review concludes that while antioxidant therapy holds potential, especially in symptom alleviation, there is a need for more rigorous, larger-scale studies to confirm its effectiveness in CP management and to establish standardized treatment protocols. The incorporation of antioxidants into CP treatment plans should be approached with personalized care, considering the varied responses observed in different patient populations.

Management of chronic pancreatitis: recent advances and future prospects

As a progressive fibroinflammatory disease, chronic pancreatitis (CP) often manifests as recurrent bouts of abdominal pain with or without complications, causing a heavy burden of health care. In recent years, some meaningful insights into the management of CP have been obtained from randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, which were of great importance. Based on this research, it is shown that there are various treatments for CP. Therefore, it is of great importance to choose a suitable strategy for patients with CP individually. Relevant evidence on the management of CP was summarized in this review, including nutrition supplements, medication, endoscopy, surgery, exploration of novel therapies as well as evaluation and prediction of treatment response.

Efficacy and Predictors of Pain Response to Combined Antioxidants in Children with Chronic Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Pain is a major problem in 90% of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Studies evaluating response to antioxidants (AO) are conflicting and no pediatric studies are available.

AIMS

To evaluate markers of oxidative stress (OS), and efficacy and predictors of response to AO in improving pain in children with CP.

METHODS

Antioxidants were given to CP children for 6 months. Subjects were assessed at baseline and post-therapy for pain and markers of OS [serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (S-SOD)] and antioxidant levels [vitamin C, selenium, total antioxidant capacity-ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP)]. Matched healthy controls were assessed for OS and antioxidant levels. Good response was defined as ≥ 50% reduction in number of painful days/month.

RESULTS

48 CP children (25 boys, age 13 years) and 14 controls were enrolled. 38/48 cases completed 6 months of therapy. CP cases had higher OS [TBARS (7.8 vs 5.2 nmol/mL; p < 0.001)] and lower antioxidant levels [FRAP (231 vs. 381.3 µmol/L; p = 0.003), vitamin C (0.646 vs. 0.780 mg/dL; p < 0.001)] than controls. Significant reduction in TBARS and S-SOD and increase in FRAP, vitamin C, and selenium occurred after 6 months. 10.5% cases had minor side effects. 26(68%) cases had a good response, with 9(24%) becoming pain-free. Subjects with severe ductal changes had lower median BMI (- 0.73 vs 0.10; p = 0.04) and responded less often than those with mild changes (17/29 vs 9/9; p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

CP children have higher OS than healthy controls. Antioxidant therapy is safe. Pain response is seen in 68% cases, less often in patients with severe ductal changes.

Epidemiology and Characteristics of Chronic Pancreatitis-Do the East and West Meet?

Background and Aims

Previous large studies on the epidemiology and clinical profile of chronic pancreatitis have suggested significant differences in presentation and management in the eastern and western hemispheres. The aim of this systematic review was to compare large multicenter studies across different geographic regions of the world to detect meaningful differences in the presentation and management of this poorly understood disease.

Methods

We identified 237 manuscripts through a comprehensive literature review aiming to identify multicenter studies enrolling more than 200 patients to limit reporting biases. After rigorous screening, 12 studies were included for the final analysis. The Asian studies were included in the eastern cohort, and the European and American studies were included in the western cohort. Reported demographics, risk factors, etiologies, clinical presentation, complications, and management strategies were then compared.

Results

We found similar demographics across both cohorts including age, prevalence among gender, and predominant etiology. Clinical manifestations including pain, pancreatic calcifications, and diabetes were similar between both cohorts although pseudocysts, pancreatic cancer, and strictures were more common in the west. Notably opioids and surgical/endotherapy management were more common in the west as well.

Conclusion

Chronic pancreatitis is a protracted disease affecting predominantly middle-aged people, leading to a decreased quality of life. Chronic pancreatitis now appears to have a fairly similar clinical profile and natural history in the east and west. There is notable variability in management. We hope that international collaboration may identify common targets for research which could lead to significant advances in the understanding and management of chronic pancreatitis.

Idiopathic chronic pancreatitis: Beyond antioxidants

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex disease associated with gene-gene or gene-environment interactions. The incidence of idiopathic CP has shown an increasing trend, withits phenotypeshaving changed considerably in the last two decades. The diseaseitself can be regulated before it reaches the stage of established CP; however, the etiopathogenesis underlying idiopathic CP remains to be established, making the condition difficult to cure. Unfortunately, there also remains a lack of consensus regarding the beneficial effects of antioxidant therapiesfor CP. It is known that antioxidant therapy does not reduce inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines, making it unlikely that they could modulate the disease process. Although antioxidants are safe, very few studies to date have reported the long-term beneficial effects in patients with CP. Thus, studies are being performed to identify drugs that can improve symptoms and alter the natural history of CP. Statins, with their numerous pleiotropic effects, may play a role in the treatment of CP, butin 2006, their use was found to be associated with the undesirable side effect of promoting pancreatitis. Latter studies showed favourable effects of statins in CP, highlighting the particular benefits of lipophilic statins, such as lovastatin and simvastatin, over the hydrophilic statins, such as rosuvastatin. Ultimately, studies to repurpose N-acetylcysteine as a CP therapy areyielding very promising results.

Pain management in chronic pancreatitis incorporating safe opioid practices: Challenge accepted

Patients with chronic pancreatitis often experience severe, unrelenting abdominal pain, which can significantly impact their quality of life. Pain control, therefore, remains central to the overall management of chronic pancreatitis. Most of the strategies aimed at treating the pain of chronic pancreatitis are based on expert opinion and vary from one institution to another, as there are no uniform guidelines to direct a stepwise approach towards achieving this goal. In this editorial, we comment on best practice strategies targeted towards pain control in chronic pancreatitis, specifically highlighting the use of opioid medications in this patient population. We discuss various safe and efficacious prescription monitoring practices in this article.

Systematic review and meta-analysis: Is there any role for antioxidant therapy for pain in chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is an irreversible disease with increased oxidative stress. The therapeutic role of antioxidants for pain reduction in CP is debatable. A systematic review of articles in PubMed and Embase until February 2020 was performed. Only randomized controlled trials conducted on humans to evaluate the therapeutic effects of antioxidants for pain in CP were included. Studies of other design, nonhuman studies, and those that did not objectively assess pain were excluded. Twelve articles and four articles were eligible for qualitative and quantitative analysis, respectively. The four included studies had a total of 352 participants. Pain reduction as measured by a visual analog scale was not significantly different in the antioxidant group compared to placebo (standardized mean difference = -0.14 [95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.44 to 0.17]; P = 0.38). Number of pain-free participants was also similar (odds ratio [OR] = 1.59 [0.97-2.59]; P = 0.06). There was no difference in outcome when comparing different etiologies of CP or age group. The reduction in the number of analgesics used did not differ between both groups. Antioxidants were not associated with increased adverse events (OR = 2.59 [CI = 0.77-8.69]; P = 0.12). A qualitative analysis on the effect on quality of life did not suggest any significant improvement with antioxidants. There was no significant pain reduction or change in quality of life in CP patients with use of antioxidants. This makes their routine use in the management of CP questionable. However, further studies may identify a subgroup where they are more useful.

Nutritional management of chronic pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Malnutrition is a frequent complication of chronic pancreatitis. Adequate nutritional support is imperative, but there is still uncertainty about the optimal nutritional treatment. This work systematically compiles evidence from randomized controlled trials investigating dietary interventions in chronic pancreatitis and, in a further step, contrasts those findings with existing dietary recommendations.

METHODS

The literature search (PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) included English and German full-text articles, which had been published in peer-reviewed journals. Two independent reviewers identified and selected studies. For meta-analysis, forest plots with 95% confidence intervals were generated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Eleven randomized controlled trials fulfilled all selection criteria. In these trials, the following dietary interventions were tested: antioxidant treatment (n = 6), vitamin D supplementation (n = 3), supplementation with oral nutritional supplements (n = 1), and symbiotics supplementation (n = 1). Studies were of good methodological quality (mean Jadad score of 3.6) but heterogeneous in terms of interventions and study populations. Only for vitamin D, there was convincing evidence for efficacy of supplementation. We found no effect for antioxidant treatment on pain relief (standardized mean difference = -0.12; 95% confidence interval -0.73 to 0.48) and limited generalizability for interventions with oral nutritional supplements and symbiotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional management in chronic pancreatitis remains challenging. As well-designed randomized controlled trials are scarce, in large part, recommendations can only be based on low-level evidence studies or expert opinion. For now, consumption of a balanced diet remains the cornerstone recommendation for prevention, whereas more goal-directed interventions are indicated for specific nutrient deficiencies.

Evaluation and Management of Suspected Early Chronic Pancreatitis (ECP)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic pancreatitis in the advanced stages leads to significant health care utilization because of the associated complications. Early-stage diagnosis could prevent the development of these complications by appropriate management. In this article, we reviewed the recent evidence pertaining to the diagnosis and management of early chronic pancreatitis (ECP).

RECENT FINDINGS

The working group for the International Consensus Guidelines for Chronic Pancreatitis has published consensus-based statements to streamline the diagnosis of ECP. There is no international consensus on the definition and diagnosis of ECP. The Revised Japanese Diagnostic Criteria for ECP based on clinical features and endoscopic ultrasound findings have been proposed. Large prospective cohort studies are needed to develop and validate internationally acceptable diagnostic criteria. ECP is recognized as a distinct stage in the development and progression of CP. Consensus-based definitions and diagnostic criteria need to be developed.

Thromboxane A2 receptor contributes to the activation of rat pancreatic stellate cells induced by 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) activation plays a critical role in the development of chronic pancreatitis. Previous studies confirmed that thromboxane A2 receptor (TxA2r) was overexpressed in activated PSCs in rats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of TxA2r in the activation of PSCs induced by 8-epi-prostaglandin F2α (8-epi-PGF2α).

METHODS

TxA2r expression in both quiescent and activated PSCs was detected by immunocytochemistry and immunoblot assay. Isolated PSCs were treated with 8-epi-PGF2α (10, 10, 10 mol/L) for 48 h, and SQ29548 (10, 10, and 10 mol/L), a TxA2r-specific antagonist for 48 h, respectively, to identify the drug concentration with the best biological effect and the least cytotoxicity. Then isolated PSCs were treated with SQ29548 (10 mol/L) for 2 h, followed by 10 mol/L 8-epi-PGF2α for 48 h. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I. Comparisons between the groups were performed using Student's t test.

RESULTS

TxA2r was up-regulated in activated PSCs in vitro compared with quiescent PSCs (all P < 0.001). Compared with the control group, different concentrations of 8-epi-PGF2α significantly increased mRNA levels of α-SMA (10 mol/L: 2.23 ± 0.18 vs. 1.00 ± 0.07, t = 10.70, P < 0.001; 10 mol/L: 2.91 ± 0.29 vs. 1.01 ± 0.08, t = 10.83, P < 0.001; 10 mol/L, 1.67 ± 0.07 vs. 1.00 ± 0.08, t = 11.40, P < 0.001) and collagen I (10 mol/L: 2.68 ± 0.09 vs. 1.00 ± 0.07, t = 24.94, P < 0.001; 10 mol/L: 2.12 ± 0.29 vs. 1.01 ± 0.12, t = 6.08, P < 0.001; 10 mol/L: 1.46 ± 0.15 vs. 1.00 ± 0.05, t = 4.93, P = 0.008). However, different concentrations of SQ29548 all significantly reduced the expression of collagen I (10 mol/L: 0.55 ± 0.07 vs. 1.00 ± 0.07, t = 10.47, P < 0.001; 10 mol/L: 0.56 ± 0.10 vs. 1.00 ± 0.07, t = 6.185, P < 0.001; 10 mol/L: 0.27 ± 0.04 vs. 1.00 ± 0.07, t = 15.41, P < 0.001) and α-SMA (10 mol/L: 0.06 ± 0.01 vs. 1.00 ± 0.11, t = 15.17, P < 0.001; 10 mol/L: 0.28 ± 0.03 vs. 1.00 ± 0.11, t = 11.29, P < 0.001; 10 mol/L: 0.14 ± 0.04 vs. 1.00 ± 0.11, t = 12.86, P < 0.001). After being treated with SQ29548 (10 mol/L) and then 8-epi-PGF2α (10 mol/L), the mRNA levels of α-SMA (0.20 ± 0.08 vs. 1.00 ± 0.00, t = 17.46, P < 0.001) and collagen I (0.69 ± 0.13 vs. 1.00 ± 0.00, t = 4.20, P = 0.014) in PSCs were significantly lower than those of the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that 8-epi-PGF2α promoted PSCs activation, while SQ29548 inhibited PSCs activation induced by 8-epi-PGF2α. The result indicated that TxA2r plays an important role during PSC activation and collagen synthesis induced by 8-epi-PGF2αin vitro. This receptor may provide a potential target for more effective antioxidant therapy for pancreatic fibrosis.

Identification of irisin as a therapeutic agent that inhibits oxidative stress and fibrosis in a murine model of chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Abnormal activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Irisin, an exercise-induced hormone, has been shown to mitigate liver fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells. However, the effect of irisin in CP has not been evaluated.

METHODS

This study aimed to determine whether irisin is protective in CP. CP was induced by 6 IP injections of cerulein (50 μg/kg/body weight). HPSCs were treated with 5 ng/ml TGF-β1 as in vitro experiment.

RESULTS

Our results showed that repeated cerulein injection induced severe pancreatic injury and fibrosis in mice and the serum irisin level in cerulein-treated mice decreased as in CP patients. Excessive oxidative and ER stress was also present in the pancreas of cerulein-treated mice. Irisin treatment significantly alleviated pancreatic injury and fibrosis, which was associated with reduced oxidative and ER stress. In cultured PSCs, irisin directly inhibited TGF-β-induced α-SMA and collagen I expression. This effect appears to be mediated through downregulation of kindlin-2 and inhibition of the SMAD2/3 pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Irisin alleviated pancreatic injury and fibrosis, which was associated with reduced oxidative and ER stress. Thus, irisin may offer therapeutic potential for patients with CP.

Antioxidants for Pancreatic Functions in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Double-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Antioxidants (AO) supplementation in chronic pancreatitis (CP) has been evaluated for pain. But it is not clear whether AO in CP have an effect on pancreatic functions and other clinical outcomes. We evaluated effect of AO on endocrine function in CP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Double-blind placebo (PL)-controlled randomized pilot study on 107 patients with CP assigned to receive daily combined AO or PL for 6 months. Primary outcome was: improvement in endocrine function (Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance). Secondary outcome measures were: improvement in C-peptide, Qualitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, exocrine pancreatic function (fecal elastase), surrogate markers of fibrosis (platelet-derived growth factor BB, transforming growth factor-β1, α-smooth muscle actin), quality of life (QOL), pain, nutritional status, markers of oxidative stress (OS), AO status, and inflammation.

RESULTS

There was an increase in levels of serum selenium (107.2±26.9 to 109.7±26.9 vs. 104.1±28.6 to 124.0±33.6 μg/L, P=0.022) and serum vitamin E [0.58 (range, 0.27-3.22) to 0.66 (range, 0.34-1.98) vs. 0.63 (range, 0.28-1.73) to 1.09 (range, 0.25-2.91) mg/dL, P=0.001] in the AO than the PL group. However, no significant differences were observed between groups in any of the primary or secondary outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementation with AO to patients with CP causes a sustained increase in blood levels of AO; however, it has no addition benefit over PL on endocrine and exocrine functions, markers of fibrosis, OS and inflammation, nutritional status, pain and QOL. Further larger studies with adequate sample size are required.

Strategies to decrease oxidative stress biomarker levels in human medical conditions: A meta-analysis on 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α

The widespread detection of elevated oxidative stress levels in many medical conditions has led to numerous efforts to design interventions to reduce its effects. Efforts have been wide-ranging, from dietary changes to administration of antioxidants, supplements, e.g., omega-3-fatty acids, and many medications. However, there is still no systemic assessment of the efficacy of treatments for oxidative stress reduction across a variety of medical conditions. The goal of this meta-analysis is, by combining multiple studies, to quantitate the change in the levels of the popular oxidative stress biomarker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) after a variety of treatment strategies in human populations. Nearly 350 unique publications with 180 distinct strategies were included in the analysis. For each strategy, the difference between pre- or placebo and post-treatment levels calculated using Hedges' g value of effect. In general, administration of antibiotics, antihyperlipidemic agents, or changes in lifestyle (g = - 0.63, - 0.54, and 0.56) had the largest effect. Administration of supplements, antioxidants, or changes in diet (g = - 0.09, - 0.28, - 0.12) had small quantitative effects. To fully interpret the effectiveness of these treatments, comparisons to the increase in g value for each medical condition is required. For example, antioxidants in populations with coronary artery disease (CAD) reduce the 8-iso-PGF2α levels by g = - 0.34 ± 0.1, which is quantitatively considered a small effect. However, CAD populations, in comparison to healthy populations, have an increase in 8-iso-PGF2α levels by g = 0.38 ± 0.04; therefore, the overall reduction of 8-iso-PGF2α levels is ≈ 90% by this treatment in this specific medical condition. In conclusion, 8-iso-PGF2α levels can be reduced not only by antioxidants but by many other strategies. Not all strategies are equally effective at reducing 8-iso-PGF2α levels. In addition, the effectiveness of any strategy can be assessed only in relation to the medical condition investigated.

Earlier surgery improves outcomes from painful chronic pancreatitis

The timing of surgery for painful chronic pancreatitis (CP) may affect outcomes.Clinical course, Izbicki pain scores, and pancreatic function were retrospectively compared and analyzed between patients undergoing either early or late surgery (< 3 or ≥ 3 years from diagnosis) for painful CP in a single center from 2007 to 2012.The early surgery group (n = 98) more frequently than the late group (n = 199) had abdominal pain with jaundice (22.4% vs 9.5%, P = .002) and pancreatic mass +/- ductal dilatation (47% vs 27%, P < .001), but less frequently abdominal pain alone (73.5% vs 85.9%, P = .009), ductal dilatation alone (31% vs 71%, P < .001), parenchymal calcification (91.8% vs 100%, P < .001) or exocrine insufficiency (60% vs 72%, P = .034); there were no other significant differences. The early group had longer hospital stay (14.4 vs 12.2 days, P = .009), but no difference in complications. Significantly greater pain relief followed early surgery (complete 69% vs 47%, partial 22% vs 37%, none 8% vs 16%, P = .01) with lower rates of exocrine (60% vs 80%, P = .005) and endocrine insufficiency (36% vs 53%, P = .033).Our data indicate that early surgery results in higher rates of pain relief and pancreatic sufficiency than late surgery for chronic pancreatitis patients. Frey and Berne procedures showed better results than other surgical procedures.

Invited review: Whey proteins as antioxidants and promoters of cellular antioxidant pathways

Oxidative stress contributes to cell injury and aggravates several chronic diseases. Dietary antioxidants help the body to fight against free radicals and, therefore, avoid or reduce oxidative stress. Recently, proteins from milk whey liquid have been described as antioxidants. This review summarizes the evidence that whey products exhibit radical scavenging activity and reducing power. It examines the processing and treatment attempts to increase the antioxidant bioactivity and identifies 1 enzyme, subtilisin, which consistently produces the most potent whey fractions. The review compares whey from different milk sources and puts whey proteins in the context of other known food antioxidants. However, for efficacy, the antioxidant activity of whey proteins must not only survive processing, but also upper gut transit and arrival in the bloodstream, if whey products are to promote antioxidant levels in target organs. Studies reveal that direct cell exposure to whey samples increases intracellular antioxidants such as glutathione. However, the physiological relevance of these in vitro assays is questionable, and evidence is conflicting from dietary intervention trials, with both rats and humans, that whey products can boost cellular antioxidant biomarkers.

Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide regulates gut microbiota of chronic pancreatitis in mice

Polysaccharide is efficient in attenuation of metabolic ailments and modulation of gut microbiota as prebiotics. The therapeutic effect of Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide (IOP) on chronic pancreatitis (CP) in mice has been validated in our previous study. However, it is not clear whether IOP is conducive to maintaining the homeostasis between gut microbiota and host. The aim of this study is to testify the potential effects of IOP on gut microbiota composition and diversity in mice with CP. The changes in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P_X), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), lipase and trypsin levels were measured by commercial assay kits, meanwhile the gut microbiota composition and diversity were analyzed by high throughput sequencing. The IOP treatment increased GSH-P_X and TAOC levels, and decreased TNF-α, TGF-β, lipase and trypsin levels in CP mice. It was also observed that gut microbiota in IOP treated groups were less diverse than others in terms of lower Shannon diversity index and Chao 1 estimator. IOP increased the proportion of Bacteroidetes and decreased that of Firmicutes at phylum level. Bacteroidetes was found positively correlated with GSH-P_X and TAOC, and Firmicutes correlated with TNF-α, TGF-β, and lipase. In conclusion, administration of IOP could regulate gut microbiota composition and diversity to a healthy profile in mice with CP, and some bacterial phylum significantly correlated with characteristic parameters.

Guidelines for the understanding and management of pain in chronic pancreatitis

Abdominal pain is the foremost complication of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Pain can be related to recurrent or chronic inflammation, local complications or neurogenic mechanisms with corresponding changes in the nervous systems. Both pain intensity and the frequency of pain attacks have been shown to reduce quality of life in patients with CP. Assessment of pain follows the guidelines for other types of chronic pain, where the multidimensional nature of symptom presentation is taken into consideration. Quantitative sensory testing may be used to characterize pain, but is currently used in a research setting in advanced laboratories. For pain relief, current guidelines recommend a simple stepwise escalation of analgesic drugs with increasing potency until pain relief is obtained. Abstinence from alcohol and smoking should be strongly advised. Pancreatic enzyme therapy and antioxidants may be helpful as initial treatment. Endoscopic treatment can be used in patients with evidence of ductal obstruction and may be combined with extracorporeal shock wave lithothripsy. The best candidates are those with distal obstruction of the main pancreatic duct and in early stage of disease. Behavioral interventions should be part of the multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain management particularly when psychological impact is experienced. Surgery should be considered early and after a maximum of five endoscopic interventions. The type of surgery depends on morphological changes of the pancreas. Long-term effects are variable, but high success rates have been reported in open studies and when compared with endoscopic treatment. Finally, neurolytical interventions and neuromodulation can be considered in difficult patients.

Medical Management of Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis

The medical management of pain in chronic pancreatitis continues to pose significant challenges for clinicians caring for these patients. There are increasing data, suggesting that pain in chronic pancreatitis is largely due to peripheral and central sensitization that evolves, over time, as a result of nociceptive afferent associated with chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the pancreas. In many instances, patients rapidly progress to requiring opioid analgesics for the adequate treatment of pain despite the unequivocal risks associated with the long-term use of these drugs. Centrally acting drugs, such as gabapentinoids, appear to be effective means of treating pain due to their inhibition of neurotransmitters involved in central sensitization, but side effects limit their use. The present review explores the evidence for various non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments for pain in chronic pancreatitis.

Long-term pain relief with optimized medical treatment including antioxidants and step-up interventional therapy in patients with chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Abdominal pain is difficult to treat in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Medical therapy including antioxidants has been shown to relieve pain of CP in the short-term. Our aim was to study the long-term results of optimized medical and interventional therapy for pain relief in patients with CP with a step-up approach.

METHODS

All consecutive patients with CP were included prospectively in the study. They were treated medically with a well-balanced diet, pancreatic enzymes, and antioxidants (9000 IU beta-carotene, 0.54 g vitamin C, 270 IU vitamin E, 600 µg organic selenium, and 2 g methionine). Endoscopic therapy and/or surgery were offered if medical therapy failed. Pain relief was the primary outcome measure.

RESULTS

A total of 313 patients (mean age 26.16 ± 12.17; 244 males) with CP were included; 288 (92%) patients had abdominal pain. The etiology of CP was idiopathic in 224 (71.6%) and alcohol in 82 (26.2%). At 1-year follow-up, significant pain relief was achieved in 84.7% of patients: 52.1% with medical therapy, 16.7% with endoscopic therapy, 7.6% with surgery, and 8.3% spontaneously. The mean pain score decreased from 6.36 ± 1.92 to 1.62 ± 2.10 (P < 0.001). Of the 288 patients, 261, 218, 112, and 51 patients were followed up for 3, 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively; 54.0%, 57.3%, 60.7%, and 68.8% of them became pain free at those follow-up periods.

CONCLUSION

Significant pain relief is achieved in the majority of patients with optimized medical and interventional treatment.

Effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on chronic pancreatitis and intestinal microbiota in mice

This study manifested the effects of polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum strain S₃ (GLP S₃) on chronic pancreatitis (CP) therapy and intestinal microbiota modulation in mice induced by diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC). The GLPS₃ was prepared from cultured mycelium and markedly alleviated the pancreatitis in mice through decreasing lipase, AMS, IFN-γ and TNF-α level as well as increasing SOD and total antioxidant activity. Furthermore, high throughput sequencing analysis revealed that GLPS₃ altered the composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota, especially, decreased the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and increased that of phylum Firmictutes. At the genus level, supplementation of GLPS₃ increased the relative abundance of the beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillales, Roseburia and Lachnospiraceae. These results disclosed the potential therapy mechanism of GLPS₃ on chronic pancreatitis might be intestinal microbiota dependent.

Mechanism, assessment and management of pain in chronic pancreatitis: Recommendations of a multidisciplinary study group

DESCRIPTION

Pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) remains the primary clinical complaint and source of poor quality of life. However, clear guidance on evaluation and treatment is lacking.

METHODS

Pancreatic Pain working groups reviewed information on pain mechanisms, clinical pain assessment and pain treatment in CP. Levels of evidence were assigned using the Oxford system, and consensus was based on GRADE. A consensus meeting was held during PancreasFest 2012 with substantial post-meeting discussion, debate, and manuscript refinement.

RESULTS

Twelve discussion questions and proposed guidance statements were presented. Conference participates concluded: Disease Mechanism: Pain etiology is multifactorial, but data are lacking to effectively link symptoms with pathologic feature and molecular subtypes. Assessment of Pain: Pain should be assessed at each clinical visit, but evidence to support an optimal approach to assessing pain character, frequency and severity is lacking.

MANAGEMENT

There was general agreement on the roles for endoscopic and surgical therapies, but less agreement on optimal patient selection for medical, psychological, endoscopic, surgical and other therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Progress is occurring in pain biology and treatment options, but pain in patients with CP remains a major problem that is inadequately understood, measured and managed. The growing body of information needs to be translated into more effective clinical care.

Role of methionine containing antioxidant combination in the management of pain in chronic pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pain in CP results from inflammation and neuroimmune alterations that are associated with oxidative stress, among other mechanisms. This is marked by depletion of antioxidant defenses including methionine, which is a donor of methyl moieties that maintains the acinar transsulfuration pathway. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials evaluating methionine-containing antioxidants in CP.

PATIENT AND METHODS

Literature search was conducted in Medline/Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Systematic review and meta-analysis was performed per PRISMA guidelines. Main study outcome was pain relief. GRADE system was used for quality assessment. Heterogeneity was assessed by the Q and I(2) measures; publication bias by Egger's test. Random-effect model (DerSimonian and Laird) was used if there was heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Eight studies (n = 411) were identified that used methionine-containing antioxidants. The study duration ranged from 10 wks to 12 months. All studies used methionine, organic selenium, ascorbate, beta-carotene and alpha-tocoferol. Four studies (including two RCTs) that reported change in pain scores were metaanalyzed. Though overall effect [standardized difference in means (95% CI)] on pain score reduction was -0.95 (-1.738 to -0.160) (z = -2.36; p = 0.018), the significance was lost when the two RCTs were meta-analyzed. RCTs that reported the number of pain free patients had a statistically significant overall effect of -3.204 (p = 0.001). Though more patients on methionine containing antioxidants had adverse events, majority of them were mild.

CONCLUSION

Methionine containing antioxidants appear to result in pain reduction in a significant proportion of CP patients. Further randomized controlled trials with homogeneous outcome measures are needed.