ABSTRACT
System............................................................................................... 485 24.10 Genetic Predisposition in Alcoholic Pancreatitis........................... 486 24.11 Epilogue............................................................................................ 487 References .................................................................................................. 487
Many hypotheses have attempted to explain the origin and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of acute and chronic pancreatitis (CP). To date, our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that trigger acute pancreatitis and induce a progression of the disease to a chronic condition is still limited. Recent progress in molecular techniques has intensified the
search for genetic changes that play a role in the onset and progression of inflammatory pancreatic disorders. This chapter outlines the recent advances with respect to human inborn genetic varieties that have been found to be associated with pathophysiological disorders of the pancreas — namely acute and chronic pancreatitis.
