It is well documented that APACHE II scores are associated with the severity of SAP and its complications and mortality.15 (link) The APACHE II scores, measured using a Microsoft® APACHE II graded computer program, were recorded. Venous blood samples were taken after a 12-h fast to measure biochemical parameters. The levels of fasting blood glucose (BG), serum amylase (AMY), albumin (ALB), blood calcium, CRP, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and IL-17 were all measured using the following colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits from Abcam, Cambridge, UK: Glucose Assay Kit (ab65333), Amylase Assay Kit (ab102523), Human Albumin ELISA Kit (ab179887), Calcium Assay Kit (ab102505), Human C Reactive Protein ELISA Kit (ab99995), Human TNF Alpha ELISA Kit (ab181421), Human IL-6 ELISA Kit (ab178013), Human IL-10 ELISA Kit (ab46034) and Human IL-17 ELISA Kit (ab119535) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The total white blood cell (WBC) count was measured using an automatic haematology analyser (Sysmex XT-2000i; Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Observed indices also included the time it took to achieve relief of abdominalgia, time of first defaecation, hospitalization time, complications and the cure rate.