ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the expression of neurok inin-2 receptor (NK-2R) in normal pancreas and chronic pancreatitis (CP) tissues. The relation of expres sion of NK-2R with pain in CP was also evaluated. METHODS: CP tis sues were ob tained from 18 men and 7 women undergoing pancreatic head resection as a result of CP. Normal human pancreatic tissues were obtained from 20 patients (11 males/ 9 females). Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reacti on was used to determine the mRNA expression of NK-2R, Western blot analysis was used to determine its protein expression level, and immunohistochemistry was us ed to localize expression site of NK-2R protein. NK-2R mRNA level and pain were also analysed whether correlation exists. RESULTS: NK-2R mRNA and p rotein level were enhanced expressed in CP tissue samples compared with normal pancreas. Ove rexpression of NK-2R was related to the intensity ( r=0 59, P