Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in rhesus monkeys using a novelantiadhesion compound

Background ge Aims: Helicobacter pylori can be eradicated by administration of antimicrobials, but resistant strains have emerged, and there is a need for novel therapeutic approaches against this infection, This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of 3'-sialyllactose sodium salt (3'SL) , an oligosaccharide that occurs naturally in human and bovine milk and tha t can inhibit the adhesion of H. pylori to human epithelial cells in vitro, Methods: Twelve H. pylori-positive rhesus monkeys were given 3'SL, either alone (regimens 1 and 2; n = 6) or in combination with omeprazole (regimen 3; n = 4), or bismuth subsalicylate (regimen 4; n = 6), Videogastroscopies were performed before, during, and after treatment, and gastric biopsy spec imens were obtained for quantitative cultures and histology, The H. pylori strains colonizing the animals were genotyped, Results: After regimen 1 or 2, 2 of 6 animals were cured permanently, and a third animal was transientl y cleared. The 3 other animals remained persistently colonized and did not respond to regimen 3, Regimen 4 resulted in transient decreases in colony c ounts in 3 of 6 other animals. Gastritis was suppressed only in the 2 anima ls who became persistently H. pylori negative. There was no apparent relati on between 3'SL efficacy and any of the H. pylori tested genotypes, No side effects were observed in any of the animals receiving 3'SL, Conclusions: A ntiadhesive therapy is safe; it can cure or decrease H, pylori colonization in some rhesus monkeys, but the addition of a proton pump inhibitor or bis muth subsalicylate does not increase cure rate.