HELICOBACTER-PYLORI FROM DUODENAL-ULCER PATIENTS EXPRESSES INDUCIBLE NITRIC-OXIDE SYNTHASE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO

Helicobacter pylori is a major pathogenic factor in gastritis, ulcer d isease and gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis is of complex pathogenesis which is only partially elucidated. In the pr esent study we investigated by immunohistochemical BSA method the expr ession of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the gastric wall and in v itro in Helicobacter pylori. In the gastric wall nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity was found in macrophages, in endothelial cells and i n neural elements. In Helicobacter pylori nitric oxide synthase was al so expressed. In conclusion, we postulate a possibility of a direct to xic effect of Helicobacter pylori to gastric epithelial cells through the nitric oxide radical.