Antral glutathione concentration and glutathione S-transferase activity inpatients with and without Helicobacter pylori

Previously we demonstrated an inverse relation between cancer of the gastro intestinal tract and glutathione S-transferase activity of the gastrointest inal mucosa. Chronic infection with Pi. pylori has been associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of glutathione and glutathione S-transferase activity in H. pylo ri-infected and noninfected antral mucosa. Glutathione and glutathione S-tr ansferases were measured in antral biopsies of patients with nonulcer dyspe psia without Pi pylori infection (A), with prior H, pylori infection who be came ii pylori negative after eradication therapy (B) and with proven ii py lori infection (C), Glutathione concentration and glutathione S-transferase activity in group A were 31.0 (range 6.0-59.6) nmol/mg protein and 810 (ra nge 165-1312) nmol/min/mg protein, in group B 27.0 (range 5.0-53.8) nmol/mg protein and 745 (range 403-1199) nmol/min/mg protein, and in group C 18.5 (range 1.6-55.8) nmol/mg protein and 572 (range 144-1047) nmol/min/mg prote in, respectively. The glutathione and glutathione S-transferase values were significantly lower in patients infected with H. pylori than in patients w ho were H. pylori negative.