SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE ACTIVITY IN HELICOBACTER PYLORI-POSITIVE ANTRAL GASTRITIS IN CHILDREN

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.