HELICOBACTER-PYLORI POTENTIATES HISTAMINE-RELEASE FROM RAT SEROSAL MAST-CELLS

We have studied the effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and its bacterial products on mast cell histamine release evoked by compound 4 8/80, calcium ionophore A 23187 and cholic acid. No significant histam ine release is obtained when the various bacterial preparations of H. pylori are incubated alone with mast cells, but the release of histami ne is dose-dependently and significantly enhanced when whole washed an d formalin killed cells or crude cell walls are incubated with compoun d 48/80, calcium ionophore A 23187 or cholic acid. Crude cell walls sh ow the highest activity whereas the filtered supernatants from broth c ultures are consistently inactive. The present results indicate a link between H. pylori and histamine release and suggest a further involve ment of gastric mucosal mast cells in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-as sociated gastritis. However, these data need to be extended before any clinical implications can be drawn.