How Hypercalcemia Causes Acute Pancreatitis?

Hypercalcemia causes acute pancreatitis by pancreatic secretory block, intracellular zymogen accumulation, and acinar cell injury. Am J Surg. 1995 Jan;169(1):167-72.

Does high calcium cause pancreatitis?

Usually, acute elevations of calcium can cause pancreatitis. The mechanism causing hypercalcemic pancreatitis may be calcium deposition in the pancreatic duct and calcium activation of trypsinogen in the pancreas. Prompt resolution of pancreatitis occurs after treatment with glucocorticoids.

How does hypercalcaemia cause acute pancreatitis?

It is postulated that hypercalcemia leads to accelerated intrapancreatic conversion of trypsinogen to trypsin, which causes the pancreatic damage [5]. Normally hypocalcaemia is expected during an attack of pancreatitis and hypercalcemia is a strong clue for suspecting HPT [6, 7, 8].