Nerve Growth Factor and Its High-Affinity Receptor in Chronic Pancreatitis

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Abstract
To study the mechanisms that are involved in nerve growth and contribute to pain generation in chronic pancreatitis (CP). Chronic pancreatitis is a painful disease associated with characteristic nerve changes, including an increase in nerve number and diameter. The mechanisms that influence nerve growth are not known. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and its high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA) are involved in neural development and survival and growth of central and peripheral nerves. Nerve growth factor and TrkA were investigated by Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical staining in the pancreases of 24 patients with CP, and the findings were correlated with clinical parameters. By Northern blot analysis, NGF and TrkA mRNA expression were increased in 42% (13.1-fold) and 54% (5.5-fold) of the CP samples (p In situ Activation of the NGF/TrkA pathway occurs in CP. It might influence neural morphologic changes and the pain syndrome in this disorder.