Relation between interleukin-1 beta messenger RNA in gastric fundic mucosaand gastric juice pH in patients infected with Helicobacter pylori

The effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on gastric acid secretion has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of I J. pylori infection on gastric juice pH in relation to gene expression of i nterleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), which is reported to inhibit gastric acid se cretion. Gastric juice pH and serum gastrin levels were measured in patient s with peptic ulcer disease. The amount of IL-IB mRNA in gastric fundic gla nd mucosa was also measured by a competitive reverse transcription-polymera se chain reaction method. These parameters were determined before and after treatment with lansoprazole and amoxicillin. Before treatment a significan t positive relation was observed between the amount of IL-1 beta mRNA in ga stric fundic gland mucosa and gastric juice pH, After treatment significant decreases in the amount of IL-1 beta mRNA, gastric juice pH, and serum gas trin levels were observed in patients with eradication of H. pylori, wherea s no significant changes were observed in patients without eradication. The se results suggest that H. pylori infection induces IL-1 beta and suppresse s acid secretion, resulting in increases in gastric juice pH and serum gast rin levels. Eradication of H. pylori decreases IL-1 beta induction, resulti ng in an increase in gastric juice acidity and normalization of serum gastr in levels.