E. Broide et al., SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE ACTIVITY IN HELICOBACTER PYLORI-POSITIVE ANTRAL GASTRITIS IN CHILDREN, Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 23(5), 1996, pp. 609-613
Reactive oxygen metabolites have been implicated in gastric mucosal in
juries. Superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of superoxide radical, is a
key enzyme in gastric mucosal protection against several damaging fact
ors. This study was aimed at investigating the relationship of superox
ide dismutase activity to Helicobacter pylori-induced antral gastritis
in children. Two groups of 11 children each, one positive and the oth
er negative for Helicobacter pylori, were studied. Biopsies from the a
ntrum and corpus were obtained for evaluation of Helicobacter pylori b
y CLOtest and histology as well as for superoxide dismutase activity (
cytochrome c method). Erythrocytic and serum superoxide dismutase leve
ls were determined as well. Superoxide dismutase activity was signific
antly higher only in the antrum of children with Helicobacter pylori-i
nduced antral gastritis. There was no significant difference in supero
xide dismutase activity in the corpus, erythrocytes, or serum of both
groups. These findings may suggest a pathogenic relationship between t
he presence of Helicobacter pylori and oxygen radicals in inducing ant
ral mucosal injury.