Background: The role of serotonin and its metabolic pathway in the proper functioning of the pancreas has not been thoroughly investigated yet in the aspect of AP (acute pancreatitis). Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) as the rate-limiting enzyme of serotonin synthesis has been considered for possible associations in various diseases. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TPH genes have been already described in associations with psychiatric and digestive system disorders. Aim of this study was to explore association of rs211105 (T/G) polymorphism in TPH1 gene with tryptophan hydroxylase 1 concentrations in blood serum in population of acute pancreatitis patients, and to investigate this association with acute pancreatitis susceptibility.
Results: To date, we have found an association between the presence of the T allele at the position rs211105 (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 0.94-6.50, p = 0.06) under conditions of a decreased AP incidence. For TT and GT genotype in control group, the lowest concentration of TPH was associated with higher serotonin levels (TT: Rs=-0.415, p=0.0018; GT: Rs=-0,457, p=0.0066), while for AP group: the highest levels of TPH among TT genotype were associated with lower levels of serotonin (TT: Rs=-0.749, p=0.0000), and in GG genotype higher levels of TPH were associated with higher levels of serotonin (GG: Rs=-0.738, p=0.037).
Conclusions: Here, the new insight of the potential role of selected genetic factor in pancreatitis development was brought. Not only the metabolic pathway of serotonin, but also factors affecting serotonin synthesis may be interesting and important point in acute pancreatitis.