HELICOBACTER-PYLORI CAUSES HYPERPROLIFERATION OF THE GASTRIC EPITHELIUM - PRE-ERADICATION AND POST-ERADICATION INDEXES OF PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN

Objective: To assess the effect of Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradicatio n on the proliferation of the gastric epithelium by the expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Methods: Alcohol-fixed gastric biopsies taken before and after treatment for HP were immunost ained with the PC-10 anti-PCNA monoclonal antibody and the labeling in dex was determined with an image analysis system. Results: The mean PC NA-labeling index (LI) of 16 patients who remained HP positive did not change significantly (18.95 +/- 1.71 on first visit vs. 17.96 +/- 1.9 1 on second visit, mean +/- SEM). The mean PCNA LI of 31 patients who cleared HP was reduced significantly (19.95 +/- 1.77 on first visit vs . 14.13 +/- 1.29 on second visit, p < 0.001). Patients who were positi ve for HP at both first and second visit showed a significantly higher PCNA LI than normal control biopsies (13.05 +/- 1.70) (p < 0.05). Con clusions: These results indicate that the gastric mucosa infected with HP is in a state of hyperproliferation. Patients who cleared HP showe d a significant histopathological improvement, reflected in the reduct ion in number of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell infiltrates, a nd a reduction in the amount of superficial mucosa damage. Prolonged h yperproliferation of the gastric epithelium exerted by HP infection co uld be a major factor for human gastric carcinogenesis.