CP and alkaline phosphatase measurement: Flow cytometry revealed significantly higher absolute numbers of circulating PSCs, such as VSELs (identified as Lin−/CD45−/CD34+ subpopulation, VSELs“2”) in the PB in all groups of patients with AP (P = 0.000013), including MAP (P = 0.008) and SAP (P = 0.000006), as well as CP (P = 0.0009) compared to the control group.