Effects of mannitol and dimethylthiourea on Helicobacter pylori-induced IL-8 production in gastric epithelial cells

The present study aims at investigating the effects of mannitol and dimethy lthiourea, known hydroxyl radical scavengers, on lipid peroxidation as an i ndicative of oxidative damage, NF-kappa B activation and IL-8 production by Helicobacter pylori in gastric epithelial cells. A human gastric epithelia l cell line, AGS, treated with or without mannitol and dimethylthiourea, wa s incubated in the absence or the presence of H. pylori. As a result, H. py lori significantly stimulated the productions of lipid peroxide and IL-8. T reatment with H. pylori resulted in the activation of two species of NF-kap pa B dimers (a p50/p65 heterodimer and a p50 homodimer). Mannitol and dimet hylthiourea significantly inhibited lipid peroxide production, NF-kappa B c omplex formation and IL-8 production by H. pylori, In conclusion, mannitol and dimethylthiourea may attenuate H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation b y inhibiting lipid peroxidation and NF-kappa B activation and thereby decre asing IL-8 production.