Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C1389183 (autodigestion)
 317 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Skin lesions associated with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency are becoming better defined and understood. Deficiency in this major antiproteinase, which neutralizes multiple proteolytic enzymes ranging from collagenases and elastases to trypsin and chymotrypsin, thus results in significant tissue autodigestion. This anti-proteinase is secreted by activated lymphocytes and macrophages, suggesting the existence of homeostasis which titrates the release of proteolytic enzymes by these cells, and the adequate neutralization of these proteases in order to prevent excessive tissue autodigestion each time these inflammatory cells are activated. We report a patient with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency who, following insect bites and cellulitis developed widespread itching and scratching, leading to widespread lesions of prurigo nodularis. The colonization of his multiple skin lesions with Staphylococcus aureus and the release of potent T cell mitogens, such as Protein A and enterotoxin A from the bacterial cell membrane may have resulted in the release of additional proteolytic enzymes by the activated lymphocytes and macrophages, without the concomitant secretion of alpha 1-antitrypsin with subsequent aggravation of his pruritus. These concepts are supported by electron microscopic evidence of excessive tissue autodigestion, and by immunocytochemical data identifying the presence of T helper and T cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocytes as well as macrophages within the upper dermis.
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PMID:Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in a patient with widespread prurigo nodularis. 182 11

Alcohol consumption is the most important etiological factor of chronic pancreatitis (around 70%). Smoking, ethnic-racial predispositions, diets high and low in fat and high in protein may also contribute to the development of chronic pancreatitis. Non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis of unknown cause makes up 10% to 30% of patients with chronic pancreatitis. Two subgroups have been reported: juvenile (about 25 years) and senile (up 65 years). Tropical pancreatitis has been observed in children and young men in many African and Asian countries. This disease develops because of fat and protein deficiency or nutritional deficiency in general, also due to cyanogenes present in cassava. Hereditary chronic pancreatitis is a rare disease connected with autosomal transmissions. Dr Whitcomb reported, that hereditary chronic pancreatitis developed because of trypsines mutation. Mutant "hypertrypsin" is not inactivated by enzymes; this way it leads to pancreas autodigestion. Obstructive chronic pancreatitis is caused by longterm pancreatic ducts obstruction. In many rare causes leading to chronic pancreatitis among other are: hypercalcaemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, some drugs and pancreatitis associated with autoimmune disorders. Newest information about etiology and pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis is yielded by recent immunohistochemical research. This research shows increasing irregular improper antigens expression of class I and/or class II MHC in pancreas as well as the role of Transforming Growth Factor Alpha in chronic pancreatitis development. This illness is still a puzzling problem.
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PMID:[Contemporary opinions on the etiology of chronic pancreatitis]. 1050 45