AP patients in the early stage had lower (P < 0.05) mRNA expression levels of lysozyme, human defensin 5 (HD5), HD6, regenerating islet-derived protein 3γ (Reg3γ), Wnt3a, and Lgr5 than did healthy controls (Fig. 1C to H). This evidence concerns the gene LGR5 and alkaline phosphatase measurement.