根除幽门螺杆菌对端粒酶相关基因及c-myc蛋白表达的影响

目的　研究幽门螺杆菌 (Hp)根除前后端粒酶相关基因及c myc蛋白表达的变化 ,分析端粒酶催化亚单位 (hTERT)、端粒酶RNA(hTR)及c myc蛋白表达的关系。 方法　采用RNA原位核酸杂交和免疫组化法对 39例Hp阳性患者根除治疗及 2 1例Hp阴性患者对症治疗前后hTR、hTERT及c myc蛋白表达进行原位观察和比较。 结果　治疗前Hp阳性者hTR、hTERT及c myc蛋白阳性率显著高于Hp阴性者 (5 1.3%比 19.0 % ,5 3.8%比 2 3.8% ,5 3.8%比 2 8.6 % ,P <0 .0 5 )。Hp根除者治疗后hTR、hTERT及c myc蛋白阳性率较治疗前显著下降 (5 5 .5 %比 2 2 .2 % ,5 9.3%比 2 2 .2 % ,5 9.3%比14 .8% ,P <0 .0 5 ) ,且与Hp阴性对照组相比差异无显著性 ;而Hp未根除者及Hp阴性对照组治疗前后上述指标阳性率变化差异均无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。治疗前hTERT与hTR、hTERT与c myc蛋白表达均呈显著正相关 ,秩相关系数rs 分别为 0 .4 5和 0 .4 7(P <0 .0 1)。结论　Hp感染可通过诱导c myc蛋白过度表达使hTERT表达上调 ,导致端粒酶激活 ,使胃黏膜易于癌变。根除Hp可使端粒酶相关基因及c myc蛋白表达下降或消失 ,从而降低胃黏膜癌变的危险性。     

幽门螺杆菌相关性消化性溃疡的细胞凋亡研究

目的：探讨幽门螺杆菌（Helicobacter pylori,HP)诱导胃上皮细胞凋亡的机制及细胞凋亡在HP相关性消化性溃疡（PU）中的作用。方法：内镜下胃粘膜活检取材,应用TUNEL法检测胃上皮细胞凋亡,免疫组化法检测凋亡调控蛋白bak、bcl-2的表达。结果：HP阳性胃溃疡（GU）和十二指肠（DU）患者细胞凋亡指数（AI）明显高于HP阴性非溃疡性消化不良（NUD）患者（P＜0．01）。根除HP后,AI在DU明显下降（P＜0．01）,在GU无明显改变（P＞0．05）。HP阳性DU溃疡活动期AI明显高于愈合期和瘢痕期（P＜0．05）,而HP阳性和GU溃疡三期AI无差异（P＞0．05）。bak蛋白表达在HP阳性PU明显高于HP阴性NUD患者（P＜0．05）。根除HP后,DU患者bak蛋白表达明显降低（P＜0．05）。GU患者虽有下降,但无统计学差异。bcl-2蛋白表达在HP阳性PU与HP阴性NUD之间无显著差异,HP根除前后亦无明显改变。结论：HP诱导胃上皮细胞凋亡在十二指肠溃疡发病中起重要的作用,HP诱导胃上皮细胞凋亡可能是通过bak路径实现的。     

胃黏膜癌变过程中hTERT和相关基因表达的变化及其临床意义

目的探讨端粒酶逆转录酶（hTERT）、c-myc、bcl-2、NF-κB蛋白在正常胃黏膜（normal mucosa，NM）、肠化（intestinal metaplasia，IM）、异型增生（dysplasia，DYS）、早期胃癌（early gastric cancer，EGC）和进展期胃癌（advanced gastric cancer，AGC）中的表达水平、相互联系及其临床意义。方法经手术或胃镜病理证实的不同病变胃黏膜组织132例为研究对象（其中NM20例、IM30例、DYS15例、EGC24例、AGC43例），采用免疫组化SP法分别检测其hTERT、c-myc、bcl-2、NF-κB的表达水平，并对各指标阳性表达率、相关性及临床病理联系进行比较分析。结果在胃黏膜癌变过程中，除bcl-2外，hTERT、c-myc、NF-κB的表达随着胃黏膜病变程度的加重而逐渐增加，各组间比较差异显著；进一步分析表明hTERT与c-myc在IN、DYS、AGC等3组中具有显著的相关性（P〈0．05），而hTERT与bcl-2、NF-κB在IM、DYS、EGC、AGC等各组中均无显著的相关性（P〉0．05）；临床病理分析表明，hTERT在低分化及未分化中的表达显著高于高、中等程度分化（P〈0．05），而与性别、年龄、肿瘤大小等无关。结论hTERT随着胃黏膜病变程度的加重，其阳性表达率逐渐增高，提示hTERT可能在胃黏膜癌变过程中具有重要意义，是胃黏膜癌变的早期事件；c-myc过表达可能是激活hTERT过表达的重要调节因素；hTERT不仅可以作为胃黏膜癌变的早期诊断指标，而且有可能成为胃癌或其他肿瘤基因治疗或免疫治疗的良好靶位。     

bcl-2,c-myc蛋白在胃癌前病变、胃癌中的表达

目的观察bcl－2，c－myc蛋白在胃癌前病变、胃癌中的表达．方法取内镜活检标本93例，其中慢性浅表性胃炎（CSG）21例，伴有上皮异型增生（gastricepithelialdysplasia，GED）者5例．慢性萎缩性胃炎（CAG）34例，伴有GED、肠上皮化生（IM）者23例．胃癌（GC）38例，癌旁粘膜伴有GED和IM者22例．SP免疫组化法检测bel－2，c－myc基因蛋白．结果bcl－2基因蛋白弥漫分布于细胞浆中，c－myc基因蛋白表达多在细胞浆中，少数细胞核内同时阳性．bcl－2，c－myc基因蛋白表达在CSG伴有GED粘膜中的阳性率分别为100％和60．0％．不伴GED组，前者为零，后者为75．0％在CAG伴有GED和IM粘膜中bcl－2，C－myc的阳性率分别为34．8％和73．9％．无GED和IM粘膜则前者为零，后者为63．6％．在胃炎中，伴有GED，IM与不伴有GED，IM组比较，bcl－2表达有显著性差异P＜0．05—0．001．c－myc表达则差异不明显P＞0．05．在GC中，bcl－2，c－myc阳性表达率分别为47．4％和76．3％．在GC癌旁粘膜中，伴有GED和IM者bcl－2阳性率为54．5％，c－myc为81．8％．不伴有GED，IM者bcl-2无阳性表达，c－myc阳性率为25％．GC及伴有GED，IM癌旁粘膜与不伴GED，IM的癌旁粘膜比较，bcl－2与c－myc的表达差异均非常显著（P＜0．001）．bcl－2，c－     

乳腺癌bcl-2、bax基因的表达及其临床意义

应用免疫组化检测86例乳腺导管浸润癌bcl-2和bax的表达，并进行统计学分析。结果bcl-2在不同分级的癌组织中表达分别是Ⅰ级77．78％，Ⅱ级53．85％，Ⅲ级30．30％（P〈0．05）；在淋巴结阳性组和阴性组中的表达分别是39．21％和71．43％（P〈0．05）。bax在不同分级癌组织中的表达分别是Ⅰ级33．33％，Ⅰ级57．69％，Ⅱ级84．88％（P〈0．05）；在淋巴结阳性组和阴性组的表达分别是70．59％和42．86％（P〈0．05）。认为bcl-2和bax表达与乳腺癌组织学分级和淋巴结转移有关。     

细胞增殖与凋亡在十二指肠胃反流患者胃黏膜病变进展中的变化

目的探讨细胞增殖与凋亡在原发性十二指肠胃反流（DGR）患者胃黏膜病变的发生发展中的作用。方法对58例原发性病理性DGR患者进行24h胃内胆汁监测,并行胃镜检查及胃黏膜活检,采用免疫组化方法分析不同病变胃黏膜组织Ki-67、Bcl-2蛋白的表达,采用TUNEL技术观察胃黏膜细胞凋亡情况。结果1．原发性病理性DGR患者胃黏膜上皮细胞增殖指数（PI）和凋亡指数（AI）均显著高于正常对照组（P〈0．05）,高反流组PI、AI均高于低反流组（P〈0．05）;2．高反流组胃窦部萎缩性胃炎的检出率高于低反流组（P〈0．05）;3．在正常胃黏膜→浅表性胃炎→萎缩性胃炎→肠上皮化生发展过程中,PI、AI均逐渐升高且呈一致性升高。在发生异型增生时PI仍显著增加而AI显著下降。4．呈异型增生的患者胃黏膜上皮细胞Ki-67表达阳性率显著升高（P〈0．05）,呈异型增生的患者胃黏膜上皮细胞Bcl-2阳性率高于其它各组（P〈0．05）。结论细胞增殖与凋亡失调可能在十二指肠反流液造成胃黏膜病变的进展中发挥重要作用,Ki-67、Bcl-2蛋白表达异常可能是DGR患者胃黏膜损伤及癌变的分子机制之一。     

选择性环氧合酶-2抑制剂NS-398对人肝癌细胞株HepG2增殖和凋亡的影响

目的探讨选择性环氧合酶-2抑制剂NS-398对人肝癌HepG2细胞株的生长抑制、诱导凋亡及其对bcl-2表达的影响。方法采用MTT法检测细胞增殖，流式细胞术检测细胞周期、凋亡及凋亡相关蛋白bcl-2的表达。结果NS-398抑制HepG2的增殖活性，经20、40、80和160μmol／L的NS-398处理细胞48h后，其抑制率分别为6．72％、16．21％、20．86％和25．34％，呈剂量依赖效应关系；细胞经160bLmol／L的NS-398处理24h、48h和72h后，G。／G1期细胞由76．07±0．75％分别减少至62．27±0．74％、59．17±1．47％和53．03±1．60％（P〈0．05），S期细胞由11．40±0．79％分别增加至13．23±0．81％、16．20±1．95％和16．60±1．25％（P〈0．05），G2／M期细胞无明显变化；凋亡细胞增多，凋亡率分别为8．47％、16．3％和23．9％；细胞经160μmol／L的NS-398处理48h后bcl-2蛋白与对照组比，表达下调（P〈0．01）。结论NS-398对人肝癌细胞株HepG2有抑制增殖、诱导凋亡作用，细胞凋亡的机制可能与细胞凋亡相关基因bcl-2表达下调有关。     

胃痞颗粒治疗胃癌前病变的实验研究

[目的]观察胃痞颗粒对胃黏膜上皮异型增生大鼠胃黏膜上皮细胞凋亡及调控基因蛋白表达的影响。探讨胃痞颗粒治疗胃癌前病变的作用机制。[方法]采用N-甲基-N-硝基-N-亚硝基胍（MNNG）诱导造模。设空白组、模型组、胃痞颗粒Ⅰ组及Ⅱ组，进行常规病理检测、TUNEL细胞凋亡检测、Bcl-2、Fas、P53（突变型）蛋白表达检测。[结果]胃黏膜组织病理学变化，中、重度异型增生率胃痞颗粒Ⅰ、Ⅱ组与模型组相比明显降低（均P〈0．05）；P53（突变型）、Bcl-2基因蛋白表达，胃痞颗粒Ⅰ、Ⅱ组明显低于模型组（均P〈0．05）；Fas蛋白表达，胃痞颗粒Ⅰ、Ⅱ组均高于模型组，但前者差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05），后者差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。[结论]胃痞颗粒对大鼠实验性胃黏膜癌前病变有逆转治疗作用。     

益肾通胶囊治疗后BPH患者前列腺组织中促凋亡蛋白、抑凋亡蛋白的表达变化

摘要：目的观察益肾通胶囊治疗后良性前列腺增生症（BPH）患者前列腺组织中促凋亡蛋白、抑凋亡蛋白的表达变化,并探讨其意义。方法BPH患者60例,其中30例术前口服益肾通胶囊（A组）,另30例术前未口服益肾通胶囊（B组）,手术切除取BPH组织标本;另取非BPH人尸前列腺组织20例份（C组）。采用免疫组化法、Westernblotting法检测各组促凋亡蛋白Caspase-3、bax及抑凋亡蛋白bcl-2、Livind。结果免疫组化法检测结果：A、B、c组bax蛋白阳性率分别为90．0％、86．7％、100．0％,两两比较,P〉0．05;Caspase．3蛋白阳性率分别为86．7％、86．7％、100．0％,两两比较,P〉0．05;bcl-2蛋白阳性率分别为63．3％、90．0％、20．0％,两两比较,P均〈0．01;Livin α蛋白阳性率分别为50．0％、83．3％、5．0％,两两比较,P均〈0．01。Westernblotting法检测结果：A、B、C组bax蛋白阳性率分别为90．0％、83．3％、100．0％,两两比较,P〉0．05;Caspase-3蛋白阳性率分别为86．7％、83．3％、100．0％,两两比较,P〉0．05;bcl-2蛋白阳性率66．7％、90．0％、25．0％,两两比较,P均〈0．01;Livin α蛋白阳性率分别为50．0％、80．0％、0,两两比较,P均〈0．01。结论益肾通胶囊可促进BPH前列腺细胞的凋亡,其可能与降低前列腺细胞bcl-2、Livin α表达有关。     

β1-AR持久兴奋通过CaMKIIδ-内质网应激凋亡通路导致心力衰竭的机制

目的研究β1-AR持久兴奋通过CaMKIIδ内质网应激（ERS）凋亡通路导致心力衰竭的机制。方法30只SD大鼠随机分成三组，正常对照组（Control）、异丙肾上腺组（Iso）和、异丙肾上腺＋美托洛尔组（Iso＋Meto），每组10只，所有动物均自由进食进水。（1）Iso组大鼠背部皮下注射Iso5mg／（kg·d），连续10d；Control组背部皮下注射相同体积的生理盐水；Iso＋Meto组大鼠背部皮下注射Iso5mg／（kg·d），连续10d，在背部皮下注射Iso前一天开始Meto 10mg／（kg·d）灌胃，连续4周；（2）所有大鼠饲养4周后，采用美国Millar公司P—V Loop导管经颈动脉插管至左心室，使用Pow—erlab生理记录系统测量血流动力学相关指标；统计各组大鼠心脏重量和心脏重量／体重比值；（3）TUNEL法和Caspase-3活性检测心肌细胞凋亡；（4）Western blot分析CaMKIIδERS相关基因（GRP78、CHOP和caspase-12）和凋亡相关基因Bcl-2／Bax的表达水平。结果30只SD大鼠实验过程精神状态好，进食进水正常。（1）与Control组比较，Iso组SD大鼠心脏重塑和血流动力学指标有显著性差异（P〈0．05）；而Iso＋Meto组心脏重塑和血流动力学指标与Iso组相比明显改善（P〈0．05）；（2）TUNEL法原位检测各组大鼠心肌细胞凋亡示与Control组比较，Iso组TUNEL阳性细胞数明显增高（P〈0．05）；而Iso＋Met组明显低于Iso组（P〈0．05）。心肌细胞Caspase-3活性和TUNEL凋亡阳性细胞核指数各组变化一致。Western blot检测心肌细胞凋亡相关基因bcl-2／Bax蛋白表达。与Control组相比，Iso组bcl-2蛋白表达明显降低和Bax蛋白表达明显增加（P〈0．05）；而Iso＋Met组与Iso组相比,bcl-2明显增高和Bax明显降低（P〈0．05）；（3）Western blot分析CaMKIIδp-CaMKIIδ白表达显示，与Control组比较，Iso组CAMKII活性和p-CaMKIIδ蛋白表达明显增加；而Iso＋Meto组与Iso组相比，CAMKII活性和p-     

Apoptosis, proliferation and p53 gene expression of H. pylori associated gastric epithelial lesions

AIM:To study the relationship between Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)and gaatric carcinoma and its possiblepathogenesis by H.pylori.METHODS:DNEL technique and immunohistochemicaltechnique were used to study the state of apoptosis,proliferation and p53 gone expression.A total of 100 gastricmucosal biopsy specimens,including 20 normal mucosa,30H.pylori-negative and 30 H.pylori-positive gastricprecancerous lesions along with 20 gastric carcinomas werestudied.RESULTS:There were several apoptotic cells in thesuperficial epithelium and a few proliferative cells within theneck of gestric glands,and no p53 protein expression innormal mucosa.In gestric carcinoma,there ware fewapoptotic cells,while there were a large number ofproliferative cells,and expression of p53 proteinsignificantly was increased.In the phase of metaplasia,theapoptotic index(Al,4.36%±1.95%),proliferative index(Pl,19.11%±6.79%)and positivity of p53 expression(46.7%)in H.pylori-positive group ware higher than thosein normal mucosa(P<0.01).Al in H.pylori-positive groupwas higher than that in H.pylori-negative group(3.81%±1.76%),Pl in H.pylori-positive group was higher than thatin H.pylori-negative group(12.23%±5.63%,P<0.01).Inthe phase of dysplasia,Al(2.31%±1.10%) in H.pylori-positive group was lower(3.05%±1.29%)than that in H.pylori-negative group,but Pl(33.89%±11.65%)wassignificantly higher(22.09±8018%,P<0.01).In phases ofmetaplasia,dysplasia and gastric cancer in the H.pylori-positive group,Als had an evidently greduall decreasingtrend(P<0.01),while Pls had an evidently gradualincreasing trend(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and there was alsoa trend of gradual increase in the expression of p53 gone.CONCLUSION:In the course of the formation of gastriccarcinoma,proliferation of gastric mucosa can be greatlyIncreased by H.pylori,and H.pylori can induce apoptosisin the phase of metaplasia,but in the phase of dysplesia H.pylorl can inhibit cellular apptosis.And H.pylori infectioncan strengthen the expression of mutated p53 gene.     

幽门螺杆菌感染患者胃癌及癌旁组织中p53,p16和bc1—2基因的表达

研究幽门螺杆菌（Ｈ．ｐｙｌｏｒｉ）感染胃癌得胃粘膜病变中抑癌基因ｐ５３、ｐ１６和关键性凋亡调节基因ｂｃ１－２蛋白的表达,进一步探讨Ｈ．ｐｙｌｏｒｉ在胃癌发生、发展过程中作用的分子机制。方法：胃镜检查及外科手术中取４０例胃癌患者的癌组织和癌旁２ ｃｍ处组织各２块,石蜡包埋,切片ＨＥ染色作病理诊断及免疫组化检查ｐ５３、ｐ１６及ｂｃ１－２蛋白的表达。Ｈ．ｐｙｌｏｒｉ阳性由快速尿素酶试验结合病理染色／＾１     

Effects of Helicobacter pylori Infection on gastric mucin expression

AIMS: This study was performed to determine the gastric distributions of MUC5AC and MUC6 depending on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and to evaluate whether the expressions of MUC5 and MUC6 change in H. pylori-associated gastroduodenal diseases. In addition, MUC5AC and MUC6 expressional changes were investigated before and after H. pylori eradication. METHODS: In the 224 individuals (136 H. pylori-positive and 88 H. pylori-negative) who came from control (N=48), duodenal ulcer (N=35), benign gastric ulcer (N=61), dysplasia plus stomach cancer (N=80) groups, MUC5AC and MUC6 expressions were determined by immunohistochemical staining in the antrum and body, respectively. This staining for MUC5AC and MUC6 were reperformed in 113 of the 136 H. pylori-positive patients after successful H. pylori eradication by proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapy. RESULTS: (1) No difference was found between the H. pylori-positive and negative groups in terms of MUC5AC expression. In contrast, MUC6 expression was significantly lower in the H. pylori-positive group than in the H. pylori-negative group in the gastric body. Moreover, reduced MUC6 expression increased to the H. pylori-negative level after eradication. (2) Expressions of MUC5AC and MUC6 were significantly lower in the dysplasia plus cancer group than those of control in case of H. pylori positive. Similarly, MUC5AC and MUC6 expressions were significantly lower in the presence of atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia in case of H. pylori positive. (3) Aberrant expressions of MUC6 in foveolar cells were observed in both antrum (11.3%) and body (5.3%) only in the H. pylori-positive group, but this reverted to normal after H. pylori eradication. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that H. pylori infection causes alterations of mucin expression, closely related with the development of gastric atrophy with intestinal metaplasia, probably contributing to carcinogenesis.     

Evaluation of the effects of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on gastric antral epithelial hyperproliferation: a prospective six-month follow-up study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: H. pylori-induced hyperproliferation of the gastric epithelium may have a critical role in gastric carcinogenesis. H. pylori-related hyperproliferation and reversibility of hyperproliferation after eradication therapy is still controversial. Therefore, we have evaluated the effects of H. pylori and its eradication on gastric antral epithelial proliferation. METHODOLOGY: A total of 32 H. pylori-positive and 22 H. pylori-negative subjects were enrolled into the study. Triple eradication therapy was given to the H. pylori-positive group. Upper endoscopy was repeated one month after the therapy and six months later, antral biopsy specimens were taken in each endoscopy. Biopsy specimens from H. pylori-negative subject were taken at the beginning of the study and sixth months later also. RESULTS: Proliferative index was 40.2% in H. pylori-positive state; it regressed to 27.6% after eradication and six months later the proliferative index was 30.7%. H. pylori-negative group's proliferative index was 25.5% initially and six months later it was 25.6%. The difference between the H. pylori-positive and -negative group was statistically significant (p<0.0001). The difference between H. pylori-positive group's values at the beginning of the study and one month after the eradication was significant (p<0.0001). In addition, the difference between H. pylori-positive group's initial values and those six months after eradication was also significant (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori increased the gastric epithelial proliferation and after the eradication therapy proliferative index decreased to control values. H. pylori and the related factors inducing gastric antral hyperproliferation may have an important role in H. pylori-related gastric malignancies.     

Clinical usefulness of serum pepsinogen II in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND: Serum pepsinogen II (sPGII) levels are known to increase during Helicobacter pylori infection. AIM: To assess H. pylori infection and success of H. pylori therapy by means of sPGII levels. METHODS: sPGII levels were determined in 156 H. pylori-positive and 157 H. pylori-negative consecutive patients with dyspeptic symptoms. Additionally, sPGII determination was performed in 70 H. pylori-positive patients 2 months after H. pylori eradication therapy. In 29 of these 70 patients, gastroscopy was performed to evaluate the effect of H. pylori therapy on gastric activity. RESULTS: H. pylori-positive subjects demonstrated a significantly higher mean of sPGII levels than H. pylori-negative subjects (16.8 +/- 7.4 vs. 8.6 +/- 3.7 microg/l; p < 0.001). The best sPGII cut-off for predicting H. pylori infection was 9.93 microg/l (sensitivity 83%, specificity 73%). The best cut-off values to evaluate success of therapy were: sPGII of 9.47 microg/l, a sPGII variation level (difference between baseline and after therapy) of 4.54 microg/l, and a sPGII Deltavalue (sPGII variation divided by sPGII before therapy) of 25% (sensitivity 93%, specificity 91%). CONCLUSIONS: sPGII levels may be used as a reliable marker of H. pylori infection in the initial diagnosis as well as to evaluate H. pylori eradication and subsequent changes in gastric inflammation.     

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, endoscopic gastric findings and dyspeptic symptoms among a young Japanese population born in the 1970s

BACKGROUND: With the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection rapidly decreasing in Japan, endoscopic findings and dyspeptic symptoms need to be re-evaluated. METHODS: In a health check-up program, endoscopy was performed on 530 young Japanese subjects (371 men and 159 women) born in the 1970s. Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated using serology and a rapid urease test. Endoscopic gastritis was classified according to the Sydney classification system, in addition to nodular gastritis. Dyspeptic symptoms were also recorded before endoscopy. RESULTS: Of the 530 subjects, 87 (16.4%) were H. pylori positive. Of the 443 H. pylori-negative subjects, 349 (78.8%) were considered to have endoscopically normal gastric mucosa. However, of the 87 H. pylori-positive subjects, only 19 (21.8%) tested normal (P < 0.001). The prevalence of several types of gastritis was significantly higher in H. pylori-positive subjects compared with H. pylori-negative subjects: atrophic gastritis (37.9% vs 1.1%, P < 0.001), flat erosive gastritis (29.9% vs 7.2%, P < 0.001), rugal hyperplastic gastritis (12.6% vs 0.0%, P < 0.001), and nodular gastritis (13.8% vs 0.0%, P < 0.001). Other types of gastritis were not related to H. pylori status. The prevalence of subjects with dyspeptic symptoms was significantly higher in H. pylori-positive subjects compared with H. pylori-negative ones (28.7% vs 6.5%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that in consideration of its recent low prevalence and the slow increase in its infection, the prevalence of H. pylori-related gastritis will gradually decrease in Japan. Further studies will be required to ascertain if there is a need for H. pylori eradication in this young population.     

Helicobacter pylori infection influences tumor growth of human gastric carcinomas

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection is considered a risk factor for gastric carcinoma. However, the effect of eradication therapy in gastric carcinoma patients is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between H. pylori infection and tumor growth of gastric carcinoma. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with gastric carcinoma participated in the study. Thirty-three were H. pylori-positive, 6 were H. pylori-negative, and 12 were diagnosed with gastric carcinoma after eradication of H. pylori. To investigate tumor growth of gastric carcinoma, cell proliferation and angiogenesis of the tumors were evaluated by immunohistochemical techniques using Ki-67 and CD34. RESULTS: The Ki-67 labeling index was 47.9 +/- 2.6 (mean +/- s) in the H. pylori-positive group, 38.1 +/- 3.6 in the H. pylori-eradicated group, and 22.2 +/- 5.5 in the H. pylori-negative group. It was significantly lower in the H. pylori-eradicated and H. pylori-negative groups than in the H. pylori-positive one, and a significant difference was also found between the H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-eradicated groups. The microvessel counts were 62.5 +/- 3.0, 50.2 +/- 4.0, and 66.0 +/- 9.8 in the positive, eradicated, and negative groups, respectively. A significant difference was found between the H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-eradicated groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that H. pylori infection is associated with cell proliferation, and its eradication may influence tumor vascularity of gastric carcinoma. Therefore, H. pylori eradication therapy may contribute to the suppression of tumor growth.     

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on Bax protein expression in patients with gastric precancerous lesions

AIM: To investigate the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection on Bax protein expression, and explore the role of H pylori in gastric carcinogenesis. METHODS: H pylori was assessed by rapid urease test and Warthin-Starry method, and expression of Bax protein was examined immunohistochemically in 72 patients with pre-malignant lesions. RESULTS: Bax protein was differently expressed in intestinal metaplasia and gastric dysplasia, and showed 63.99% positivity. The positivity of Bax protein expression in Hpylori-positive gastric precancerous lesions (72.3%) was significantly higher than that in H pylori-negative gastric precancerous lesions (48.0%, X~2=4.191, P<0.05). H pylori infection was well correlated with the expression of Bax protein in gastric precancerous lesions (r=0.978, P<0.01). After eradication of H pylori, the positivity of Bax protein expression significantly decreased in H pylort-positive gastric precancerous lesions (X~2=5.506, P<0.05). In the persisting H pylori-infected patients, the positivity of Bax protein expression was not changed. CONCLUSION: H pylori infection may be involved in the upregulation of Bax gene, which might be one of the mechanisms of H pylori infection-induced gastric epithelial cell apoptosis. H pylori might act as a tumor promoter in the genesis of gastric carcinoma and eradication of H pylori could inhibit gastric carcinogenesis.