The use of atomic force microscopy to predict complications in moderate acute pancreatitis

Introduction. In response to the ongoing focus of the global surgical community on the challenges of acute pancreatitis, the assessment of peripheral blood erythrocytes is proposed as a diagnostic method. Aim. This study aims to identify changes in the erythrocyte membrane associated with moderate-severity acute pancreatitis. Material and methods. To conduct a prospective multicenter study, venous blood was collected from 48 people. The control group included 15 blood samples taken from clinically healthy individuals. In all samples, the erythrocyte membrane was examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results of the study. Based on AFM results, samples from 33 patients with a diagnosis of moderate-severity acute pancreatitis were divided into two groups: group 1 of 16 individuals with minimal changes in erythrocytes and group 2 of 17 individuals with more pronounced changes. AFM was used to compare erythrocytes from the control group with erythrocytes from the two patient groups with regard to length, width, height, area, and volume of the erythrocyte and, most importantly, the presence of ulcerative lesions of the membrane. Discussion. The results of AFM revealed obvious changes in the state of the erythrocyte and its membrane, with more pronounced alterations observed in group 2 patients. Conclusion. Erythrocyte AFM provides insight into the condition of pancreatic cells in acute pancreatitis of moderate severity. The introduction of erythrocyte AFM as a diagnostic test will enable the prediction of disease progression, allowing for timely intervention and adjustments to patient management strategies.