Abstract
High local concentrations of ammonia within the gastric mucus layer, generated by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) urease, changes the pH profile of the mucosa and may even augment acid back diffusion into the gastric mucosa. This is known to damage the mucosa and decrease gastric mucosal barrier function. Gastric transmucosal potential difference (PD) is a sensitive and numerical marker of gastric mucosal barrier.
The aim of the study was to evaluate gastric PD in 15 H. pylori-positive antral gastritis patients before and after eradication therapy. Gastric PD was measured by an endoscopic method. H. pylori status was tested by a rapid urease test as well as by histology. Eradication therapy consisted of 20 mg omeprazole od, 2 × 250 mg clarithromycin bid, 2 × 500 mg tinidazole bid for a week. H. pylori status, histology and gastric PD level were reconsidered 4 weeks after completion of eradication therapy.
Mean antral gastric PD was 15.3±2.4 mV in the antrum and 37.4±4.3 mV in the gastric body before therapy. In the successfully eradicated group (n = 12), mean antral PD was significantly (p <0.05) elevated (22.3 ±3.1 mV), while, in those who remained H. pylori positive (n = 3), the mean antral PD was unchanged (16.8 ± 3.2 mV). No significant PD change was observed in the gastric body irrespective of antral H. pylori status.
It is concluded that H pylori eradication had a rapid and markedly beneficial effect on gastric mucosal barrier function, which is easily detectable by gastric PD measurement.
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Rácz, I., Pécsi, G., Szabó, A., Varga, D. (1997). Transmucosal Potential Difference as a Marker of Helicobacter Pylori-Induced Gastric Mucosal Barrier Damage. In: Mózsik, G., Nagy, L., Pár, A., Rainsford, K.D. (eds) Cell Injury and Protection in the Gastrointestinal Tract. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5392-8_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5392-8_16
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