Guidelines Basic Science
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2009; 15(3): 264-269
Published online Jan 21, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.264
Genetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of tropical calcific pancreatitis
Swapna Mahurkar, D Nageshwar Reddy, G Venkat Rao, Giriraj Ratan Chandak
Swapna Mahurkar, D Nageshwar Reddy, G Venkat Rao, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, 6-3-661, Somajiguda, Hyderabad 500082, India
Swapna Mahurkar, Giriraj Ratan Chandak, Genome Research Group, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500007, India
Author contributions: Mahurkar S wrote the first draft of the review; Reddy DN suggested the model for etiopathogenesis of TCP and amended the draft to its final form; Rao GV gave vital suggestions; Chandak GR contributed information and refined the contents.
Correspondence to: Dr. D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, 6-3-661, Somajiguda, Hyderabad 500082, Andhra Pradesh, India. aigindia@yahoo.co.in
Telephone: +91-40-23378888
Fax: +91-40-23324255
Received: November 8, 2008
Revised: November 25, 2008
Accepted: December 2, 2008
Published online: January 21, 2009
Abstract

Chronic pancreatitis is known to be a heterogeneous disease with varied etiologies. Tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP) is a severe form of chronic pancreatitis unique to developing countries. With growing evidence of genetic factors contributing to the pathogenesis of TCP, this review is aimed at compiling the available information in this field. We also propose a two hit model to explain the sequence of events in the pathogenesis of TCP.

Keywords: Chronic pancreatitis; Tropical calcific pancreatitis; Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes; Complex disease; Candidate gene analysis