HELICOBACTER-PYLORI INFECTION DOES NOT INCREASE GASTRIC ANTRUM MUCOSAL CELL-PROLIFERATION

Objectives: Gastric carcinoma is the world's second most common cancer . Recent studies suggest an association between Helicobacter pylori an d gastric carcinoma, The aim of this study was to address the effects of H. pylori infection on gastric antrum mucosal cell proliferation. M ethods: Forty patients undergoing upper endoscopy for standard indicat ions were included in the study, A rapid urease test was used to deter mine the presence of H. pylori, Epithelial cell proliferation was dete rmined by immunohistochemical techniques utilizing monoclonal antibody to bromodeoxyuridine. Results: There were no significant differences in the number of labeled cells and in the proliferation fraction (p > 0.1) when patients with H. pylori were compared with those without, an d when those over the age of 50 were compared to those under 50, The p resence of ulcers similarly had no effect (p > 0.1). Conclusion: Helic obacter pylori infection does not increase gastric antrum mucosal cell proliferation.