Simvastatin in Reducing Pancreatitis in Patients With Recurrent, Acute or Chronic Pancreatitis

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To evaluate the effect of a simvastatin intervention versus placebo on the change in secretin-stimulated peak bicarbonate concentration in the pancreatic fluid at 6 months post-treatment in patients with a history of at least two episodes of acute pancreatitis in the past 12 months. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To evaluate the effect of a simvastatin intervention versus placebo at 6 months from baseline (study visit 1\) on: Ia. Change in the endoscopic ultrasound score (EUS). Ib. Change in serum and pancreatic fluid levels of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. Ic. Change in pancreatitis-related readmissions. Id. Change in quality of life score as measured by the Quality of Life (QLQ)-Core (C)30 and QLQ-Pancreatic modification (PAN)28(Chronic Pancreatitis \[CP\]). OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM I: Patients receive simvastatin orally (PO) once daily (QD) for 6 months. ARM II: Patients receive placebo PO QD for 6 months. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 30, 60, and 90 days.