THE EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM LANSOPRAZOLE THERAPY ON HELICOBACTER-PYLORIINFECTION AND ANTRAL GASTRITIS IN DUODENAL-ULCER PATIENTS

Background/Aims: Lansoprazole is a new potent proton pump inhibitor th at exhibits activity against Helicobacter pylori in vitro. This study endeavored to determine the effects of 4 wk of lansoprazole therapy up on H. pylori infection and antral gastritis in duodenal ulcer patients and to determine the relationship of the gastritis with Helicobacter infection and with ulcer activity, Methods: Satisfactory antral biopsi es were obtained from 119 duodenal ulcer patients before and after 4 w k of therapy with lansoprazole, ranitidine, or placebo. Sections were scored blindly for degree of active and chronic inflammation and exten t of H. pylori infection. Results: Four weeks of lansoprazole (30 mg d aily) or ranitidine (300 mg daily) therapy produced a significant decr ease in H. pylori infection, The reduction of H. pylori infection, but not ulcer healing per se, correlated with the decrease in active and chronic antral inflammation. Reduction of H. pylori infection, however , did not improve the good ulcer-healing rates already achieved at 4 w k by potent acid inhibition. Conclusions: Lansoprazole exhibits activi ty against H. pylori in vivo. Short-term improvement in antral gastrit is is affected by reduction of H. pylori infection but not by ulcer he aling.