H+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase mRNA in gastric fundic gland mucosa in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori

Background: How Helicobacter pylori infection affects gastric acid secretio n has not been made clear. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of H, pylori infection on H+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) mRNA in gastric fundic gland mucosa. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic gastritis and H . pylori infection were treated with lansoprazole and antibiotics. Before a nd 1 month after treatment gastroduodenoscopy was performed, and changes in the amount of H+/K+-ATPase mRNA in the fundic gland mucosa, gastric juice pH, and serum gastrin levels were determined. Results: The amount of H+/K+- ATPase mRNA in the fundic gland mucosa was increased in patients with eradi cation of H. pylori, in whom significant decreases in gastric juice pH and serum gastrin levels were observed, No significant changes were observed in patients without eradication of H. pylori. Conclusions: These results sugg est that one of the mechanisms by which H. pylori infection suppresses acid secretion is by the inhibition of proton pump synthesis in parietal cells.