In the etiopathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis in recent years interest is focused on investigation of processes which at the level of molecular biology, genetics and changes of the cellular metabo- lism lead to the development of changes ensuing in chronic pancreatitis. The authors present a review of contemporary knowledge on the importance of the protein, described as lithostatin, in the process of genesis and development of chronic pancreatitis and at the same time the asses- sment of this substance in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.

        Key words: lithostatin – physiology and pathophysiology of the pancreas – diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis