Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric pro- and antioxidant formation in Mongolian gerbils

Helicobacter pylori colonized gastric mucosa is manifest in a significant n eutrophil infiltration with an extensive level of oxyradical formation. Mon golian gerbil is one of the excellent models for H. pylori-infection. The p resent study was designed to investigate pro- and antioxidant formation in the stomach of H. pylori-positive gerbils. Fourteen male Mongolian gerbils (MGS/Sea) were orally inoculated with H. pylori (ATCC43504) (Hp group) and 15 gerbils were inoculated with the culture media (Control). H. pylori infe ction was confirmed by the serum anti-H. pylori IgG test. Each gerbil was e valuated 6 or 12 weeks after the inoculation. Neutrophil infiltration was a ssessed by the tissue MPO activity. Mucosal oxidative stress was evaluated by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), total glutathione conte nts, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity and Cu-, Zn-superoxide dismuta se (SOD) activity. In Hp group, the H. pylori was persistently infected unt il 12 weeks. The level of MPO activity was significantly higher in Hp group at 6 and 12 weeks. Although the levels of TEARS and total glutathione were within the same range as controls at 6 weeks, they were significantly incr eased at 12 weeks. However, GSHPx activity was significantly increased at 6 weeks, but became the same range with the controls at 12 weeks. SOD activi ty showed no significant increase in Hp group at 6 and 12 weeks. In conclus ion, H. pylori inoculation induced gastric mucosal neutrophil activation an d pro-oxidant formation and also increased total glutathione contents, one of the mucosal antioxidants in gerbils. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.