Hypertriglyceridemia ethanol

O In the Western hemisphere, acute pancreatitis is caused mainly by ethanol use/abuse and gallstones. Other common causes of acute pancreatitis include hypertriglyceridemia, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and autodigestion due to early activation of pancreatic enzymes. Numerous medications have also been implicated as causes of acute pancreatitis (Table 20-1). 

Pancreatic dysfunction, heralded by large increases in serum amylase and lipase, is associated with the use of several reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs). Didanosine appears to be the worst offender, and pancreatitis is the most characteristic adverse effect of this particular NRTI. Conditions enhancing susceptibility to drug-induced pancreatic dysfunction include hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia, and history of excessive ethanol use. Liver dysfunction including hepatitis may occur with the antitu-bercular drugs, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide. Cholestasis is associated with the estolate form of erythromycin. 

Pitanga leaves have also shown a relevant activity against diabetes and obesity. Arai et al. (1999) observed that ethanolic fractions improved postprandial hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia in mice, and that the mechanisms involved seem to be the inhibition of sugar and fat decomposition, and glucose absorption. 

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