EFFECT OF BISMUTH AND NITECAPONE ON ACETALDEHYDE PRODUCTION BY HELICOBACTER-PYLORI

Background: We have recently shown that colloidal bismuth subcitrate i nhibits cytosolic alcohol dehydrogenase of Helicobacter pylori as well as acetaldehyde production from excess ethanol. We now extend our stu dies to bismuth subsalicylate and nitecapone, a novel antiulcer agent. Methods: Cytosol of H. pylori was incubated with 0.1% or 1% ethanol i n the presence of different drug concentrations for 2 h, whereafter ac etaldehyde formed was analyzed by bead space gas chromatography. In ad dition, we incubated a culture solution containing intact bacteria wit h the drugs at 1% ethanol. Results: Bismuth subsalicylate and nitecapo ne inhibit acetaldehyde formation from 0.1% ethanol by H. pylori cytos ol at drug concentrations theoretically achievable in the stomach afte r intake of therapeutic doses of these drugs. Furthermore, colloidal b ismuth subcitrate, bismuth subsalicylate, and nitecapone also inhibit acetaldehyde production by intact H. pylori, although rather high drug concentrations are required for this to occur. Conclusions: Inhibitio n of H. pylori acetaldehyde formation may be one of the mechanisms by which bismuth and nitecapone exert their effect in the treatment of H. pylori-related disorders.