HELICOBACTER-PYLORI DOES NOT RELEASE CYSTEAMINE INTO GASTRIC-JUICE

Aim-To determine whether Helicobacter pylori releases cysteamine into gastric juice as cysteamine is known to be ulcerogenic. Methods-Sample s of fasting gastric juice were collected from 22 individuals (four wo men); 10 subjects were H pylori negative. The presence of infection wa s confirmed by examination and culture of gastric biopsies. Cysteamine in gastric juice was measured by reversed phase gradient high perform ance Liquid chromatography with a detection Limit of 10 mu mol/l. Resu lts-Cysteamine was not detected in any of the gastric juice samples or in extracts of cultured H pylori. Conclusions-If H pylori produces cy steamine then the amounts produced are insignificant and are unlikely to explain the association between H pylori infection and the developm ent of duodenal ulcer disease.