MODIFICATION OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI ADHESION TO HUMAN GASTRIC EPITHELIAL-CELLS BY ANTIADHESION AGENTS

Helicobacter pylori is a major etiological agent in gastroduodenal dis orders. H. pylori adhesion to human gastric mucosa is the initial step of H. pylori colonization. Inhibition of H. pylori adhesion is thus a therapeutic target in preventing H. pylori infection. We have previou sly established a method using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay t o analyze quantitatively H. pylori adhesion to gastric epithelial cell s. This method is suitable for screening antiadhesion agents. Some muc oprotective agents are proved to have antiadhesion effects in vitro, a nd they may modify H. pylori adhesion. This evidence gives us a useful clue to analyze the molecular mechanism of H. pylori adhesion to muco sa. Furthermore, in clinical trials, these mucoprotective agents enhan ced the eradication rate when administered with antibiotics. In conclu sion, the antiadhesion agents may have potential as therapeutic regime ns against H. pylori infection.