DNA-DAMAGE IN THE STOMACH AFTER VAGOTOMY MEASURED BY P-32 POSTLABELING

This study analysed gastric mucosal DNA by P-32-postlabelling in a ser ies of patients who have had previous vagotomy for benign peptic ulcer disease. DNA adduct levels were found to be significantly higher in p atients who had had previous truncal vagotomy than in those who had ha d previous highly selective vagotomy (p<0.001). Intragastric bile conc entrations were also considerably higher in patients after truncal vag otomy but there was no correlation between intragastric bile concentra tions and DNA adduct levels. These results suggest that, although duod enogastric reflux may be a cause of gastric mucosal DNA damage in the stomach after vagotomy, measurement of total intragastric bile does no t accurately reflect genotoxic insult.