Polyamine profile in human gastric mucosa infected by Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have demonstrated increased gastric epithelial cell proliferation associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, which is reversed after bacterium eradication. Among the substances involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, polyamines are a group of polycations found in high concentrations both in normal and neoplastic cells. AIMS: Of the study were: a) to examine the influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on the polyamine profile in the gastric antrum and body, by comparing infected, to uninfected, patients, b) to evaluate the effect of successful and unsuccessful bacterium eradication on polyamine levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive dyspeptic patients (20 Helicobacter pylori positive and 6 Helicobacter pylori negative) undergoing gastroscopy were enrolled. Polyamines were evaluated in antral and body biopsies by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. RESULTS: Antral and body biopsies from Helicobacter pylori positive patients contained higher polyamine levels than those from Helicobacter pylori negative subjects. In Helicobacter pylori positive patients, the baseline polyamine levels were higher in the antrum than in the body. In Helicobacter pylori negative subjects, levels in the two stomach regions were similar. After therapy, polyamine levels decreased in patients with successful eradication, whereas these levels remained unchanged in patients in whom infection persisted. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate enhanced antral cellular proliferation linked to the presence of Helicobacter pylori and add weight to the postulation of an association between Helicobacter pylori infection and increased risk of neoplastic changes in gastric antral mucosa. Differences in antral and body levels of polyamines may also be considered as a further indication of the different mucosal reactivity between the two regions of the stomach towards bacterial invasion.