Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The overall outcome has improved, but specific treatment(s) remains elusive. The challenge is the early identification and treatment of patients who will develop severe acute pancreatitis. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) in the initial phase of predicted severe acute pancreatitis. Between June 2014 and January 2016, 64 patients with acute pancreatitis and 36 healthy individuals were included to study. Four blood samples, for serum TWEAK measurement, were taken from each individual in each group. The first measurement was taken from the admission blood sample. The subsequent three samples were taken at 12, 24, and 48 h after the hospital admission. Serum TWEAK levels were significantly higher in patients with acute pancreatitis when compared with healthy controls. TWEAK plasma concentrations in severe pancreatitis patients were significantly higher than in mild pancreatitis patients. Serum TWEAK levels increase progressively with the severity of acute pancreatitis and TWEAK might be a novel early marker of severity in acute pancreatitis.